JP2015509473A - An automated mechanism that folds and stacks cocoon tape made of sufficiently rigid material in a zigzag manner - Google Patents

Abstract

An automated mechanism that folds and stacks the heel tape (11) made of a sufficiently rigid material and having a plurality of lateral ridges (12) equidistant from each other in a zigzag manner, 50) It is provided with a supply means (15) suitable for supplying the scissors tape (11) in a predetermined supply direction toward a rotary folding device (20) suitable for transporting toward (50). This folding device (20) has the same length, is arranged in the shape of ten o'clock, and is aligned around the rotation center axis (Z) in the feeding direction of the hook tape (11) perpendicular to the rotation center axis (Z) The four pairs of parallel main arms (21-24) rotating in the rotating direction and the peripheral ends of the main arms (21-24) are rotated toward the inside thereof, and the main arms (21-24) Pairs of corresponding parallel sub-arms (31-34) that can rotate in the opposite direction, and four folding rods (41-44) that rotate relative to the peripheral edge of the sub-arm (31-34) Thus, each of the four folding rods (41-44) is suitable for drawing a substantially elliptical trajectory (T). The folding rods (41-44) are suitable for blocking the scissors tape (11) corresponding to every two lateral scissors (12). The main axis (X) of the trajectory (T) is substantially horizontal, the central stack axis (W) of the collecting means (50) is substantially vertical, and the minor axis (Y) of the trajectory (T). Parallel to

Description

  The present invention comprises a sufficiently rigid material, i.e., a cardboard, a resin or material having a thickness and consistency with properties similar to stiffness, such as a cardboard, or a stiffness that does not easily deform The present invention relates to an automated machine that folds and stacks a plurality of transverse creasings that are equidistant from each other at a predetermined pitch in a zigzag manner. The mechanism according to the present invention provides, for example, ampule width in sheets of cardboard up to more than 3 m with high productivity, ie higher than 3.3 m / s (about 200 m). Applied to the downstream of equipment for continuous production

  In the field of packaging or packaging, a folding mechanism is known. This mechanism is a zigzag method in which corrugated tapes typically made of cardboard are folded along the folds and stacked in a zigzag manner to form a predetermined size. Used to form a suitable stack. This is then stored for subsequent work for different sized packaging boxes. The distance between two successive folds is defined as the “pitch” of the tape being folded, which can be 2,500 mm or more.

  A known folding mechanism is described in patent for industrial invention 1.374.280 granted to the applicant on February 11, 2008. This known folding mechanism comprises a folding device with rotating arms suitable for folding each of the tape segments along a transverse ridge with respect to the adjacent segments and stacking them towards the collection container (device). In particular, this folding device is of the same length and is arranged in a cross shape, and is a pair of four pairs that rotate together around the central axis of rotation in a predetermined direction, aligned with the direction of feeding the tape to be folded. A parallel main arm is provided. At each peripheral edge of the pair of main arms, a pair of parallel sub-arms, which are shorter than the length of the main arm toward the inside and are rotatable in the opposite direction to the main arm, are rotated. Is pivoted. Between the peripheral edge portions of each of the four pairs of sub-arms, a folding rod is arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation main axis and thus crossing the supply direction of the tape to be folded. These sub-arms operate from the main arm at a transmission rate such that each pair of sub-arms completes two revolutions around its own pin while the main arm completes one revolution around the central axis. Receive. Thus, each of the four folding rods draws a substantially elliptical trajectory in space. The length of the main arm, the length of the sub-arms, and their rotational speeds allow each of the folding rods to intercept the folded tape every two folds of the tape, ie every two pitches. Set to Thus, each of the folding rods raises the tape that is folded in response to alternate folds while the tape itself descends corresponding to the folds in the middle where the fold rod contacts. Fold the zigzag with changes.

  In known folding mechanisms, the main axis of the elliptical trajectory substantially traverses the feeding direction of the tape to be folded, which is inclined about 25 ° below the horizontal plane. The collection container has a first portion disposed directly downstream of the folding device and substantially aligned with the supply direction of the folded tape upstream of the folding device.

  This arrangement of the folding device and the collection container, however, introduces a series of drawbacks which act on the tape moving forward at high speeds, speeds on the order of about 3 m / sec in known folding mechanisms. These disadvantages make this mechanism less reliable because it frequently causes interruptions due to jamming and malfunction.

  One object of the present invention is an automated mechanism that can be folded and stacked in a zigzag manner, which is made of a sufficiently rigid material and is advanced at a high speed exceeding 3.3 m / sec. The object is to obtain an automated mechanism that is reliable and ensures continuous functioning, for example to be positioned downstream of a continuous production facility for cocoon tape.

  When the 襞 tape is cardboard or similar or comparable product, the mechanism according to the present invention also impairs reliability and precision in folding and stacking products that are still hot and humid from production equipment Must be able to handle without.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism capable of producing stacks or piles of tapes folded in a zigzag manner that can be discharged without having to stop the work cycle. is there.

  The Applicant has devised, tested, and embodied the present invention in order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages.

  The invention is defined and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the invention or variations of the main inventive idea.

  In accordance with the above objectives, an automated mechanism consisting of a sufficiently rigid material, equipped with a plurality of lateral ridges equidistant from each other, overcoming the limitations of the prior art and removing its drawbacks, is a collection means that folds it in a zigzag fashion To the rotary folding device suitable for transporting toward the head, it is provided with a feeding means suitable for feeding the scissors tape in a predetermined feeding direction, the folding device having the same length and having a cross shape 4 pairs of parallel arms that rotate in the rotation direction that coincides with the feeding direction of the heel tape perpendicular to the rotation center axis, and rotate inward with respect to the peripheral edge of the main arm. A pair of corresponding parallel sub-arms that are rotatable in the opposite direction to the main arm, and four folding rods that rotate with respect to the peripheral edge of the sub-arm. 4 folds Each rod is suitable to draw a substantially elliptical trajectory in space, the folding rod is suitable for blocking the folds tape corresponding to each two of its lateral folds.

  According to the unique feature of the present invention that the device works in an optimal manner, even when the tape is moving at a very high speed, faster than 3.3 m / s, the trajectory spindle Are substantially horizontal and the central stack axis of the collecting means is substantially vertical, ie parallel to the minor axis of the trajectory.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, the supply means has a distal slide located close to the folding device, whereby the supply direction of the heel tape intersects the trajectory in the fourth quadrant of the trajectory. . Furthermore, the collecting means is positioned so that its central stack axis intersects the trajectory in the second quadrant of the trajectory, ie opposite to the fourth quadrant with respect to the rotation center axis of the folding device.

  According to another derivative feature of the invention, the horizontal support surface is arranged above the collecting means and temporarily and selectively during the step of removing the pre-formed stack in the collecting means,襞 Suitable for supporting the starting point of the stack of tapes (also called pre-stack).

  According to another derivative feature of the present invention, a blocking component is provided which is arranged between the folding device and the collecting means, which block the leading edge of the scissor tape coming from the supply means. It is movable between a preferred first operating position and a second operating position that does not interfere with the scissors tape.

  According to another feature of the invention, a cutting means is provided for selectively cutting the scissors tape without even stopping the function of the folding device.

  Advantageously, the cutting means are opposed to each other and each is movable between an open position retracting with respect to the zone of the saddle tape passage and an operating position suitable for pinching the saddle tape. There are two horizontal shutters, which can be cut on the fly by a cutting part mounted on the lower part of the two shutters.

  These and other features of the present invention will be readily understood from the following description of preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a folding mechanism according to the present invention in an initial operation position. FIG. 2 is a side view of the first enlarged detail of the folding mechanism of FIG. 1 in an initial operating position. FIG. 3 is a side view of the first detail of FIG. 2 in a first operation folding position. FIG. 4 is a side view of the first detail of FIG. 2 in the second operation folding position. FIG. 5 is a side view of the first detail of FIG. 2 in a third operation folding position. FIG. 6 is a side view of the first detail of FIG. 2 in a fourth motion folding position. FIG. 7 is a side view of the first detail of FIG. 2 in a fifth operation folding position. FIG. 8 is a side view of the first detail of FIG. 2 in a sixth operation folding position. FIG. 9 is a side view of the first detail of FIG. 2 in the cutting operation position. FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of the second detail of the mechanism of FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional enlarged side view of the third detail of the mechanism of FIG. 1 at the cutting operation position of FIG. 9. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of FIG. 11 in the third detail. 13 is an XIII-XIII enlarged sectional view of FIG. 11 in the third detail.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mechanism 10 according to the present invention has a thickness of about 3 mm to about 8 mm, such as cardboard, for example, and is thus made of a material that is sufficiently rigid, ie not easily deformed. It is suitable for folding and stacking the scissors tape 11 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in a zigzag manner.

  Illustratively, the scissors tape 11 has a maximum width of about 3,000 mm and is provided with lateral scissors 12 at a predetermined constant pitch P (FIG. 4) with respect to each other, which can be predetermined. The index is between about 600 mm and about 2500 mm. In the exemplary embodiment described here, the pitch P is 1,150 mm, which is one of the standard dimensions in the field of packaging boxes.

  The mechanism 10 includes a fixed metal structure 13 (FIG. 1) or a frame suitable for continuously supplying the scissors tape 11 forward at an upper portion where the supply unit 15 is mounted. This comes directly from, for example, a known type of production equipment (not shown) at a predetermined very high speed V, faster than 3.3 m / s, which is above 200 m / min. . In particular, the supply section 15 comprises a plurality of supply rolls 16 and a comb-shaped terminal slide 18 at its end, which is inclined downward at an angle α (FIG. 2). Is adjustable and is between about 9 ° and about 20 ° with respect to a horizontal plane defining the feed direction of the heel tape 11.

  A folding device 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) suitable for folding the scissors tape 11 along the lateral scissors 12 (FIG. 3) in a zigzag manner is disposed downstream of the supply unit 15. This folding device 20, which will be described in detail later, is similar to that described in the above-mentioned Italian Patent No. 1.374.280, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference and is part of this disclosure. Make. However, this device contains new and creative technical features compared to it and, as will be explained below, has solved the technical problems of conventional mechanisms in an unpredictable way.

  Below the folding device 20, in order to stack the scissors tape 11 which is folded in a zigzag manner and to form a continuous layer or stack at a predetermined height, for example from 1,000 mm to 1200 mm, A collecting device 50 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 10) suitable for vertical transport is arranged. The collection device 50 will be described in detail later.

  This folding device 20 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) comprises four pairs of parallel main arms, 22, 22, 23 and 24, respectively, which have the same length and are arranged in a cross shape. Is attached to a central bar 25 that rotates in the clockwise direction, that is, around the rotation center axis Z by an electric motor 30 mounted on the frame 13 in a direction that coincides with the supply direction of the scissors tape 11.

  A pair of sub-arms 31, 32, 33, and 34 correspondingly parallel to the inner peripheral edge of each pair of the main arms 21, 22, 23, and 24 are inwardly connected to the pins 26, 27, 28 and 29, respectively. These sub-arms are shorter than the main arms 21, 22, 23 and 24, and are rotatable in the opposite direction of the main arms, that is, in the counterclockwise direction.

  The folding rods 41, 42, 43 and 44 are respectively parallel to the rotation center axis Z between the peripheral edge portions of the four pairs of sub-arms 31, 32, 33 and 34. Arranged in the crossing direction.

  The radius R1 (FIG. 2) of the main arms 21, 22, 23 and 24 is substantially equal to or equal to the pitch P between the rotation center axis Z and the respective axes of the pins 26, 27, 28 and 29. A little smaller (eg 1,130 mm). Further, the peripheral speed of the pins 26-29 is proportional to the traveling speed V of the scissors tape 11, and in this case is slightly less, for example, 1/5 less than V. The radius R2 of the secondary arms 31, 32, 33 and 34 is instead less than half of the radius R1, in this case about 430 mm.

  The sub-arms 31, 32, 33 and 34 receive movement from the rotation of the main arms 21, 22, 23 and 24 by the chains 36 and 37 having two pairs of rollers, and are coaxial with the rotation center axis Z. Engaging two pairs of fixed gears 38 and 39. The transmission ratio between the pair of fixed gears 38 and 39 and the keyed on the pins 26, 27, 28 and 29 is 2: 1. This is because the sub-arms 31, 32, 33 and 34 are connected to the respective pins 26, 27, 28 and 29 while the main arms 21, 22, 23 and 24 complete one rotation around the rotation center axis Z. It means completing two rotations around. Thus, each of the four folding rods 41, 42, 43, and 44 draws a substantially elliptical locus in space. Advantageously, the main axis X of the folding rod is horizontal or substantially horizontal, while the minor axis Y is vertical or substantially vertical.

  The lower end of the end sliding part 18 is disposed at a position very close to the fourth quadrant of the trajectory T, and is almost tangent to this. Thereby, the supply direction of the saddle tape 11 crosses the locus T strictly in the fourth quadrant of the locus T.

  Due to the size of the radius R1 of the main arms 21, 22, 23 and 24 and the radius R2 of the sub-arms 31, 32, 33 and 34, and the peripheral speed thereof, the folding rods 41, 42, 43 and 44 are respectively The heel tape 11 is blocked every two ridges 12 of the heel tape 11, that is, every two pitches P. Thus, each of the folding rods 41, 42, 43, and 44 can fold the heel tape 11 and protrude outwardly corresponding to every other ridge 12. On the other hand, the scissors tape 11 itself is directed inward corresponding to the intermediate scissors 12 that are contacted by the folding rods 41, 42, 43, and 44, respectively, by a specific operation of the folding rods 41, 42, 43, and 44. Folded. As a result, the scissors tape 11 is folded in alternate directions and can be considered a desired zigzag change.

  According to the inventive feature of the present invention, the timing of the main arms 21, 22, 23 and 24 relative to the sub-arms 31, 32, 33 and 34 is in order to obtain a zigzag fold that is reliable and constant over time. It must be pointed out that both high speeds (faster than 3 m / s) and very wide scissors tape (wider than 3 m) are essential and decisive. This timing defines two opposing folding rods, for example 42 and 44, that have corresponding main arms and opposing sub-arms, for example 22 and 24, 32 and 34, respectively, also aligned with the main axis X. In doing so, it must be on the main axis X and directed outwards, while at the same time the other two folding rods, for example 41 and 43, correspond to the corresponding main and sub-arms, for example 21 and 23, 31. And 33, when aligned with the secondary axis Y again, must be on the secondary axis Y and face inward.

  3 to 8 show different operating steps of the folding device 20, which will be described in detail below.

  The collecting device 50 (FIG. 1) comprises a horizontal support surface 51, which is vertical between the two vertical receiving sides 52 and 53 (FIG. 10) of the fixed structure 13 by a second electric motor 55. It is movable in a direction, which defines a stack chamber 54.

  The vertical axis W passing through the center of the stack chamber 54 defines the stack axis of the collecting device 50 and is in the second quadrant of the trajectory T, that is, in the fourth quadrant of the same trajectory T with respect to the rotation center axis X of the folding device 20. On the other hand, it intersects with the trajectory T.

  The conveyor belt 56 (FIG. 1) is mounted on a roll shutter type support surface 51, for example, which is suitable for placing a layer or stack formed by the scissor tape 11 after being folded by the folding device 20. It is.

  The conveyor belt 56 can be selectively driven by a third electric motor 57, and when the support surface 51 is in its lowest position (indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 10), the scissors tape 11 folded in a zigzag manner. Drain the layer horizontally.

  The collecting device 50 also comprises in its upper part two side walls 58 and 59 (FIG. 10) which are opposite to each other and are arranged on the side where the folds 12 of the fold tape 11 are folded zigzag. The electric mechanism 60 is associated with each of the two side walls 58 and 59 and can vibrate them relative to the corresponding horizontal pin 61.

  Three compressed air exhausts 62 (FIG. 2), which are well known and will not be described in detail, are arranged above the folding device 20 approximately 50 cm therefrom, corresponding to the first quadrant of the trajectory T, One is disposed within the blocking component 65 and one is disposed within the sidewall 59 of the collection device 50. The three exhausts 62 are suitable to operate in a pulsed manner and timed with the angular position of the folding device 20, and promote folding and stacking of the heel tape 11.

  Between the folding device 20 and the collecting device 50, the mechanism 10 is formed by a series of parallel bars and is suitable to act as a first starting surface to the scissor tape 11, as shown in FIG. As shown, the first operating position is substantially interposed between the folding device 20 and the collecting device 50 to block the leading end of the scissors tape 11 reaching from the supply section 15, and It comprises a blocking component 65 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that is moved at the side, is in a substantially vertical position and is movable between a second operating position so as not to interfere with the scissors tape 11.

  In particular, the blocking component 65 is attached to an arched structure 66 that slides on a roller 68 that is rotatably mounted on the stationary structure 13 and is commanded by a pair of hydrodynamic pistons 69.

  Between the shut-off component 65 and the collecting device 50 is disposed a comb-like horizontal support 70 that forms a stack that is previously formed in the collecting device 50 during the removal step.

  In particular, the horizontal support unit 70 is moved horizontally between the forward position (FIGS. 2 and 3) and the retracted position (FIG. 10) by the first moving mechanism 71 commanded by the fourth electric motor 72, and Further, the second moving mechanism 73 instructed by the fifth electric motor 75 can move vertically between an ascending position and a descending position (both indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 10). Details of the moving mechanisms 71 and 73 can be easily understood by those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

  The mechanism 10 is also located below the folding device 20 and above the collecting device 50, for example for selectively cutting the scissors tape 11 when the stack in the collecting device 50 reaches a desired height. The cutting device 80 (FIG. 10) is provided.

  In this case, the cutting device 80 (FIG. 11) comprises two horizontal shutters 81, 82, which are opposed to each other and terminate in two wedges that are slightly offset from each other, each of which is a tape 11 is movable between an open position (FIGS. 3 to 8) retracted with respect to the passing region 11 and an operating position (FIG. 9) for holding the scissors tape 11 and cutting it below.

  The cutting device 80 is also mounted on the lower part of the shutter (on the right side in FIG. 2), and in turn includes a rotating blade (blade) 85 (FIGS. 11, 12, and 13) and a counter roller having a circumferential groove 88. And a cutting portion 83 including 86. Here, the peripheral edge of the rotating blade 85 is partially accommodated in the circumferential groove 88 and defines a matrix that facilitates cutting of the scissors tape 11.

  The rotary blade 85 and the counter roller 86 slide on the guide 90 attached to the shutter 82 in a direction transverse to the supply direction of the scissors tape 11, that is, in a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIGS. 12 and 13. A slider (slider) 89 is rotatably mounted. The moving operation of the slider 89 is performed by the transmission belt 92 by the sixth electric motor 91, crosses and cuts from the outside of the bulk of the scissor tape 11, from the lateral non-operation position (FIG. 12), It is to the opposite operation | movement end after returning over the full length of the scissors tape 11. FIG. On the other hand, the rotation of the rotary blade 85 is achieved by the toothed belt 93 by the same translational movement of the slider 89, the head of which is attached to the shutter 82, and is coaxial with the rotary blade 85 and hard relative thereto. Engage with a toothed pinion 85 (FIG. 13) mounted for rotation above. The two small rollers 96, which are also rotatably mounted on the slider 89, are arranged parallel to the side of the toothed pinion 95, but cooperate with the back of the toothed belt 93, This ensures that the toothed belt 93 engages the toothed pinion 95.

  The mechanism 10 described so far functions as follows.

  First, since the mechanism 10 functions correctly with respect to the sub-axis Y of the trajectory T, the angular velocity of the main arm 21-24 of the folding device 20 and the traveling velocity V of the scissors tape 11 are synchronized, and also The angular timing of the main arm 21-24 is synchronized with the position of the lateral ridge 14 not shown and made by any known device upstream of the supply 15 and also as described above. It should be emphasized that it is essential that the timing of each other is synchronized between 21-24 and the secondary arms 31-34.

  When the folding of the scissors tape 11 in a zigzag manner is started, the mechanism 10 is in the initial operation position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the blocking component 65 blocks the head of the scissors tape 11 and Therefore, in order to close the lower access to the collecting device 50, it is in the operating position, the horizontal support 70 is in a high forward position, the shutter 81 (left side in FIG. 2) is in front, and the shutter 82 (FIG. 2). The right side) is retreating.

  When the leading end of the scissors tape 11 reaches the blocking component 65, the blocking component 65 is moved by the hydrodynamic piston 69 into an inactive (non-operating) position corresponding to the first operating folded position shown in FIG. And stay there until the folding process is finished. The shutter 81 also moves backward, while the horizontal support unit 70 stays at the front position, and gradually drops as the stack (front stack) of scissors tape 11 is gradually formed by the second moving mechanism 73.

  In this first operating folding position, the main arm 21 tilts in advance with an angle β of about 30 ° with respect to the minor axis Y of the trajectory T, and the corresponding folding rod 41 is connected to the end slide 18. It is in the state which can interrupt | block the horizontal direction ridge 12 which arrives.

  In the second operation folding position (FIG. 4), after the folding device 20 has rotated 15 degrees clockwise, that is, when the angle β has advanced about 15 ° relative to the minor axis Y of the trajectory T, the folding rod 41 Has just touched the heel tape 11 and begins to fold upward with respect to the corresponding lateral ridge 12.

  The folding device 20 continues to rotate in the clockwise direction, and the main arm 21 is sequentially aligned with the secondary axis Y of the trajectory T in order to the third operation folding position (FIG. 5), and then the angle β After returning about 15 ° with respect to the sub-axis Y of the trajectory T (behind), the angle β is returned about 30 ° with respect to the sub-axis Y of the trajectory T. , To the fifth motion folding position (FIG. 7) and finally to the sixth motion folding position (FIG. 8) where the angle β has returned about 45 ° with respect to the secondary axis Y of the trajectory T. In the passage from the second motion folding position to the sixth motion folding position (FIGS. 4 to 8), the lateral saddle 12 adjacent to what is interrupted by the folding rod 41 is driven by any component of the folding device 20 It should be noted that is not affected. Therefore, with the specific movement of the sub-arms 31-34, the scissors tape 11 is folded in the opposite direction, and therefore arranges itself in a zigzag manner.

  In the sixth operation folding position of the main arm 21, the main arm 24 adjacent thereto is inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the sub-axis Y of the trajectory T, and further rotated by 15 °, as described above. When the first operation folding position is reached again, the hook tape 11 adjacent to the other horizontal hook 12 can be blocked.

  Every folding rod 41 changes its speed relative to the saddle tape 11 by its satellite-type operation. Thereby, in the first sector, starting from the first operating folding position (FIG. 3) and ending after 90 ° rotation (when the folding rod 42 is in the position in FIG. 3), the folding rods 41-44 are It rotates at a speed substantially equal to the traveling speed V of the scissors tape 11 and then gradually decreases to zero when in its horizontal position between the first and second quadrants of the trajectory T. Thereafter, the speed of the folding rods 41-44 increases until reaching the third sector (position offset by 180 ° relative to the first sector).

  Thus, each of the folding rods 41-44 contacts the heel tape 11 corresponding to one of its lateral ridges 12, accompanies it at the same speed V for all of the first sectors, and then decelerates. The relative velocity is zeroed and then accelerated to drop the already folded scissors tape into the lower stack.

  As the scissors tape 11 is gradually folded in a zigzag manner to form a front stack on the horizontal support portion 70, the horizontal support portion 70 that has been at the maximum ascending position as shown by the dotted line in FIG. Thereby, it reaches a position close to the support surface 51. Thereafter, the horizontal support portion 70 is transported to the retracted position by the first moving mechanism 71, whereby the front stack just formed is placed on the lower support surface 51, and is indicated by a solid line in FIG. As such, it is then moved downward to a lower position at the base of the collection device 50. On the other hand, to facilitate the formation of the stack, the electric mechanism 60 is driven to vibrate the side walls 58 and 59 with respect to its horizontal pin 61.

  When the stacking of the scissors tape 11 is completed, the scissors tape 11 is cut without stopping its advance towards the folding device 20 and performs a so-called “cut on the fly”.

  To do this, the two shutters 81 and 82 are advanced relative to each other and conveyed to the operating cutting position shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, so that the scissor tape 11 is between their wedge-shaped ends. It remains pinched.

  The cutting device 80 is then driven, and in particular, the electric motor 91 translates the slider 89 in the lateral direction with respect to the scissors tape 11 by means of the transmission belt 92, so that the counter roller 86 and the rotary blade 85 are moved. It is held between and is cut by the rotating blade 85 in a few seconds. The slider 89 stays at this position on the outside of most of the lateral direction of the scissors tape 11 after executing a complete outward movement to cut the scissors tape 11. The horizontal shutters 81 and 82 are then pulled back toward the position shown in FIG. 3 to allow normal flow of the heel tape 11 toward the collection device 50. The slider 89 is then returned to its initial position (FIG. 12) and remains outside the majority of the heel tape 11 laterally over the entire length of the return movement.

  Once the cutting operation of the scissor tape 11 is complete, the conveyor belt 56 of the collecting device 50 is driven to eject the stack toward a conveying means not shown and of a known type. During this operation of ejecting the stack, the horizontal support 70 returns to its initial position, i.e. just below the scissor tape just cut, at the top and front (FIG. 3), so that the above folding cycle is repeated. Can do.

  Once the stack has been discharged by the conveyor belt 56, the support surface 51 returns to its raised position and is ready to receive another front stack of scissor tape 11 formed on the horizontal support 70, This ensures that the mechanism 10 functions continuously without stopping the folding device 20.

  It will be apparent that modifications and / or additions of parts can be made to the mechanism 10 described above without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to certain specific examples, many other equivalent forms of automated mechanisms that allow one of ordinary skill in the art to fold and stack the heel tape of sufficiently rigid material in a zigzag manner are claimed in the claims. It is also clear that it can be reliably realized with features that are all within the scope of protection described and defined thereby.

Claims (11)

An automated mechanism for folding and stacking 襞 tapes (11) made of a sufficiently rigid material and having a plurality of lateral ridges (12) equally spaced relative to each other in a zigzag manner,
Suitable for feeding the paddle tape (11) in a predetermined feeding direction towards a rotary folding device (20) suitable for folding it in a zigzag manner and transporting it towards the collecting means (50). Supply means (15), where
The folding device (20) has the same length and is arranged in a cross shape, and the periphery of the rotation center axis (Z) is aligned with the supply direction of the scissors tape (11) perpendicular to the rotation center axis (Z). Four pairs of parallel main arms (21-24) rotating in the direction of rotation;
Four pairs of corresponding parallel sub-arms (rotating inward with respect to the peripheral edge of the main arm (21-24) and rotating in the opposite direction to the main arm (21-24) ( 31-34), and four pairs of folding rods (41-44) rotating with respect to the peripheral edge of the sub-arm (31-34),
Thereby, each of the four pairs of folding rods (41-44) is suitable for drawing a substantially elliptical trajectory (T) in the space,
The folding rod (41-44) is suitable for blocking the scissor tape (11) corresponding to every two of the lateral scissors (12),
The main axis (X) of the trajectory (T) is substantially horizontal, and the central stack axis (W) of the collecting device (50) is substantially vertical, and the sub-axis of the trajectory (T). Parallel to the axis (Y),
An automated mechanism characterized by that. The supply means (15) comprises an end slide (18) located in proximity to the folding device (20),
Thereby, the supply direction of the saddle tape (11) intersects the trajectory (T) in the fourth quadrant of the trajectory (T),
The collecting means (50) is configured such that the central stack axis (W) is opposite to the fourth quadrant with respect to the trajectory (T) and the rotation central axis (Z) of the folding device (20). The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is positioned so as to intersect in the second quadrant of (T).   The collecting means (50) is a horizontal support that is vertically movable between two vertical receiving sides (52, 53) that define a stack section (54) positioned centrally on the central stack axis (W). 3. Mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a surface (51). A conveyor belt (56) is placed on the support surface (51), suitable for placing a stack suitable for forming the scissors tape (11) after being folded by the folding device (20). Installed,
The conveyor belt (56) is selectively driven to eject the stack of scissors tape (11) folded in a zigzag manner laterally when the support surface (51) is in the down position. The mechanism according to claim 3. The collecting device (50) is also on the upper part of the stack compartment (54), opposite to each other, on the side observed when the folds (12) of the fold tape (11) are folded in a zigzag manner. Arranged,
The electric mechanism (60) is associated with each of the two side walls (58, 59) and can vibrate them relative to the corresponding horizontal pin (61). 4. The mechanism according to 4.   A horizontal support (70) suitable for temporarily supporting the starting point of the previous stack formed in the stack compartment (54) is disposed above the collecting means (50). The mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein:   The horizontal support (70) is movable both horizontally between a forward position and a retracted position and vertically between a raised position and a lowered position. Mechanism.   A first operating position suitable for blocking the head of the saddle tape (11) coming from the supply means (15) between the folding device (20) and the collecting means (50), and the saddle tape 8. A mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a blocking component (65) is arranged between (11) and a second operating position that does not interfere.   Arranged between the folding device (20) and the collecting means (50), suitable for selectively cutting the scissors tape (11) without stopping the function of the folding device (20). The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising cutting means (80).   The cutting means (80) are opposed to each other, and each of the cutting means (80) is located between an open position where the cutting means (80) moves backward with respect to the passing zone of the saddle tape (11) and an operating position suitable for holding the saddle tape (11). The two horizontal shutters (81, 82) that can be moved at the same time are provided, whereby the cutting part (83) mounted on the lower part of one of the two shutters (82) can be cut in the air. The mechanism according to claim 9.   The cutting portion (83) is mounted on a rotating blade (89) mounted on a slider (89) that selectively slides in a direction transverse to the feeding direction of the scissors tape (11) toward the collecting means (50). 85. Mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises 85) and a counter roller (86).

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