JPH09151010A - Vacuum conveyer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maximize the suction force to an object conveyed on a conveyor, minimize the frictional force on the conveyor, change the suction force along the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, and reduce the trend of the oblique movement of a conveyed sheet. SOLUTION: A slender endless belt 6' arranged to be vacuum-communicated with an opening device 5' in a slender vacuum chamber 4' containing the opening device 5' and having multiple bored openings 7 has rigidity so that a part of the region can be kept at a plane as a whole. This vacuum conveyor is provided with a belt support device 8''' having an effective width smaller than that of the endless belt 6' and practically extended on the slender portion of the endless belt 6', a support opening device 9'' vacuum-communicated with the vacuum chamber 4', a vacuum generator, and the drive motor of the endless belt 6'.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a conveyor for moving an object having a relatively flat bottom surface by means of a perforated belt communicating with a vacuum chamber. The objects to be conveyed can be of a wide variety, such as a container with a flat bottom surface, a bundle of sheets with a relatively rigid bottom surface, or a single sheet material. Specifically, the present application is directed to the transport of laminated and solid cardboard paper sheets used to make boxes and inserts. The cardboard sheet can be a rectangular member with smooth edges or stamped slits and flaps.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many years, in conveyors used to carry flat shaped cardboard box stock, such as Martin's Patent No. 3658322 (1972), a plurality of upper and lower flat conveyor belts have been used. These belts require speed synchronization and spacing mechanisms to keep the material moving in a uniform and straight line. It was relatively expensive to manufacture, install, and maintain the mechanism, which had to operate reliably over a long period of time.

In a conveyor according to US Pat. No. 3,860,232, which was granted to Martin in 1975, the belt has a circular cross section so that it can be used to convey corrugated cardboard sheets. It was possible to mount the at different angles so that it could be moved laterally. The material of the upper and lower conveyors still suffers from the above-mentioned incidental problems.

In some cases, it is also possible to use snubbers to hold the sheets on the conveyor, as used in Martin US Pat. No. 4,099,712 (licensed 1973). That is, the snubber can be effectively used in the case of a sheet material, but the box is not suitable in the case of a package.

The pinch rollers disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,183,271, issued to Martin in 1980, have been used effectively to convey webs of cardboard sheet material to rotary shears. The pinch roller compresses the cardboard sheet material in order to maintain a sufficient grip on the material. Recently, sheet materials are made from recycled fibers, which are shorter and easier to compress, so it is difficult to avoid the compression action of the cardboard sheet material by pinch rollers.

More recently, there has been an increasing need to increase the acceleration and / or speed of movement of sheet material after it leaves a given processing machine. When the sheet material is accelerated at a high speed, it tends to move diagonally due to slippage on the conveyor.

Yet another problem with prior art belt conveyors is that they cannot convey corrugated cardboard sheet material containing many die-cutting portions that cause flaps. When conveyed at a high speed, the flaps are lifted from the high-speed belt by the air that rapidly moves under the flaps, and are separated from the high-speed belt, so that the traction action of the belt is lost.

US Pat. No. 4,805,890, issued to Martin in 1980, discloses the use of suction openings located between flat, non-perforated conveyor belts. While this system holds the sheet material on the conveyor very well, as shown in FIG. 6, the orifice 16A acts like a static suction cup acting on the bottom of the sheet material, thus preventing longitudinal movement of the sheet material. To be prevented. Such systems require the input of additional energy into the system to overcome the vacuum forces acting on the sheet material.

A perforated flat belt that overcomes the problem of a fixed suction cup is shown in Wise as follows.
It has already been disclosed in his US Pat. No. 4,364,555 (1982). The problem of energy loss due to the provision of a plurality of openings in the flat belt is caused by the suction of the flat belt against the surface of the vacuum chamber from the vacuum connection between the surface of the vacuum chamber and the conveyed object on the conveyor belt. Let's move on to the problem of frictional drag. Not only is there frictional resistance leading to wasted loss of energy, but it also causes the phenomenon that the bottom surface of the belt is worn more quickly. Wear on the inner surface of the belt not only changes the effective length of the belt, but also induces other problems such as belt speed changes or slippage. Belts placed side by side and traveling at different speeds induce a misalignment of objects carried by the belts.

Prior to the present invention, all efforts on the perforated belts maximized the degree of vacuum applied to the underside of the perforated moving belt, and the vacuum to atmosphere between the upper surface of the vacuum chamber and the underside of the belt. Has been aimed at minimizing the loss of. Such attention of the previous inventor obscures the solution of the above-mentioned problem of frictional resistance under the belt, which causes the serious problem.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is to maximize the degree of vacuum applied through perforations in the conveyor belt with minimal vacuum applied to the non-perforated portion of the conveyor belt, thus minimizing frictional drag on the belt. To get the structure to do.

This is to consider the perforations in the conveyor belt as "moving suction cups" and to provide a structure for providing a belt support device such as an elevated rail which is placed in close proximity to the perforations in the conveyor belt. This is accomplished by providing a narrow elongate vacuum slot having the width of the elevated rail and an overall width less than the width of the belt and in vacuum communication with a portion of each of the perforation openings.

In another form of the invention, a vacuum is provided at a selected point along the longitudinal axis of the rail to reduce the effective opening in the split groove between belt support devices such as the rail. The degree regulation device is used to change the suction force on the conveyed object.

In yet another form of the invention, an additional belt support device, such as an additional rail, is provided which provides additional support for the belt. The support system is provided with a port to exhaust the vacuum to the atmosphere to reduce frictional drag on the belt.

One object of the present invention is to maximize the attractive force on the object being conveyed while reducing the frictional force on the belt.

Another object is to provide a conveyor that varies the suction force on the objects being conveyed along the longitudinal axis of the conveyor.

Still another object is to reduce the tendency of the conveying sheet to be slanted in the course of being conveyed.

Yet another object is to minimize slippage between the belt and the conveyed sheets, especially at the upstream end of the conveyor where the conveyed articles are initially rapidly accelerated.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The first form of the invention described is illustrated in FIGS. As illustrated, a vacuum conveyor 1 for moving an object 2 with at least one relatively planar surface 3, the planar surface 3 of the object 2 being substantially non-porous with respect to vacuum transmission. A vacuum conveyor 1 having a surface 3 with a specific area and made of a material with a selected stiffness that resists a selected bending consists of: That is, the first
And an elongated endless belt 6 having a plurality of first perforation openings 7 arranged in vacuum communication with the first opening means device 5 in the vacuum chamber 4. The infinite belt 6 having a rigidity capable of maintaining a part of the area of the belt in a plane position as a whole and the first belt supporting device 8 extending in the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction are used as the infinite belt. A first belt support device having an effective width smaller than the width of the belt and comprising a first belt support opening device 9 in vacuum communication with the vacuum chamber 4 and extending over a substantially elongated portion of the endless belt 6. 8 and a vacuum generator 10 similar to the generator illustrated in FIG. 1 for moving the vacuum generator 10 giving a suction action in the vacuum chamber 4 and the infinite belt 6 in the longitudinal direction, Figure 1 It is composed of a belt drive 11 shown and similar belt drive.

The meaning of the term "effective width of the belt supporting device 8" is understood to be the width of the part of the belt supporting device 8 which is in vacuum contact with the back side of the belt.

In some cases, when constructing the vacuum conveyor 4, it may be desirable for the width to be wider than the width of the endless belt 6. In such a case, it would be possible to form the upper side of the vacuum chamber 4 forming the first belt support device as a raised portion having a width smaller than the width of the endless belt 6.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12, the first belt opening device 9 and the first opening device 5 have the same opening area, but this area depends on the design specifications. Can change. As illustrated, the first belt support opening device 9 and the first opening device 5 are composed of a series of elongated openings that form a generally straight line. Other structures could employ elongated slits or multiple slits and the apertures could have any geometric shape such as circular, rectangular or oval apertures.

A feature of the vacuum conveyor 1 is that it has the ability to change the force for holding an object on the infinite belt 6. This becomes especially important when the vacuum conveyor needs to accelerate an object to be conveyed from stationary or slow speed to high speed. When a larger vacuum force is used, the amount of slippage between the belt 6 and the object 2 is reduced, so that rapid acceleration is possible. Furthermore, in many applications where multiple parallel conveyors or multiple diagonal conveyors are used, the amount of slip of the conveyed object 2 is minimized so that it does not deviate from its initial orientation with respect to the vacuum conveyor 6. Is important.

To achieve these results, the conveyor is provided with a vacuum force altering device 16 for varying the degree of vacuum applied to the planar surface 3 of the object 2 as a function of the linear distance along the elongated infinite belt 6. Can be done. This means that the first belt support device 8 of the vacuum force changing device 16 has a first
It can be achieved by changing the area of the opening device 9. Changing the area of the first belt support opening device 9 can also be accomplished by simply bringing the openings closer together (see changing the opening 15 'to 15 "in Figure 8). Another way to modify the device 16 is to simply increase the groove width of the first opening device 5 and the first belt support opening device 9.

Another form of vacuum conveyor 1'is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, in which the first
The belt support device 8'of the first belt support opening device 9 '.
And includes a pair of laterally spaced elongate rails 12 and 13 defining a. The purpose of these rails is to provide a convenient means for lifting the endless belt 6 above the vacuum chamber 4. The width design of the rails 12 and 13 should be such that the belt 6 can hold a relatively planar position, although they are smaller than the width of the endless belt 6. The height of the rails 12 and 13 should be chosen to minimize the contact between the belt 6 and the vacuum chamber 4.

In the vacuum conveyor 1'illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the opening device 5 in the elongated vacuum chamber 4 is a groove wider than the first belt support opening device 9'between the rails 12 and 13. is there. The transverse width of a substantial part of the first perforation opening 7 in the elongated endless belt 6 is larger than the width of the belt support opening device 9'between the rails 12 and 13. The term "groove" may mean a groove-like opening, such as the series of first belt support openings 9 illustrated in FIG. Rail 12
The purpose of providing a perforation opening 7 in the endless belt having a width greater than the width of the first belt support opening device 9 between and 13 is as the belt 6 moves laterally under possibly different load conditions and speeds, It is to ensure that vacuum conduction with the object being transported is maintained.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the rail 1
2 and 13 should be sealed by welds or other vacuum sealing means 41 to prevent loss of vacuum.

In order to satisfy different vacuum requirements for the conveyor depending on the objects to be transported, the transport distance, the conveyor speed and other parameters, another alternative of the vacuum conveyor 1'illustrated in FIG. Modifications can be adopted. The vacuum conveyor 1'is for changing the degree of vacuum applied to the planar surface 3 of the object 2 being moved as a function of the linear distance along the elongated infinite belt 6, ie the first vacuum degree regulator member. A vacuum force altering device 16 "may be provided to alter the area of the linearly spaced openings 15 within 14. The vacuum regulator member 14 may also be similar to the spacing of the openings in FIG. It is also possible to modify 15 so that they are closer to each other. A plurality of linearly-spaced openings 15 disposed between are provided, and the linearly-spaced openings in the vacuum regulator 14 are connected to the opening device 5 in the elongated vacuum chamber 4. Elongate rail 12
It is possible to establish a vacuum connection with the first belt support opening device 9'between 13 and 13. Such a vacuum regulator member 14 provides a simple, cost-effective way to regulate the vacuum force on the object to be transported without modifying the more expensive components of the conveyor system. The regulator member 14 can carry openings having different sizes and spacings, which can be varied over the length of the conveyor to meet different parameters of the conveyor design.

A vacuum force modifier means 16 "for modifying the degree of vacuum applied to the planar surface 3 of the object 2 being moved as a function of linear distance along the elongated infinite belt 6.
Can be configured by varying the area of the linearly spaced openings 15 in the first vacuum regulator member 14 as a function of linear distance along the elongated infinite belt 6.

In many of the applications where vacuum conveyors are used, despite efforts to prevent this,
Die cutting of corrugated cardboard always results in loose fibers. These fibers can clog the narrow grooves and small openings in the vacuum conveyor 1 '. When designing the conveyor, the first vacuum regulator member 14
A plurality of linearly-spaced openings 15 therein that are larger than the width of the first belt-supporting opening device 9'between the elongated rails 12 and 13, and the opening device 5 in the elongated vacuum chamber 4;
It has been found that the clogging problem can be solved by making the width smaller than the width.

One of the features of the present invention is that a belt supporting device is provided to reduce the frictional resistance on the endless belt 6. To achieve this frictional drag reduction on the belt, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vacuum conveyor 1 '''is provided with a second belt transversely spaced from the first belt support 8''. Belt support device 18 which is arranged in substantially the same plane as the first belt support device 8 "as well as the transverse portion 20 of the elongated endless belt 6 '. The vacuum conveyor 1 ″ ″ further reduces the frictional resistance on the lateral portion 20 of the elongated endless belt 6 ′ supported by the second belt support device 18 so that the first belt support device 8 ″ and the first belt support device 8 ″ are A first vacuum reducing device 19 arranged between two belt supporting devices 18.
have. The aforementioned vacuum conveyor is suitable for equipment where the length of the conveyor is extremely short and the degree of vacuum is low or the power for driving the belt is extremely high.

For installations with long conveyors, high vacuum or where it is important to save energy consumption, a more sophisticated version of the vacuum conveyor 1'also illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. ″ Is provided.

In the vacuum conveyor 1 '''of this embodiment, the first belt supporting device 8''has a first planar surface as a whole.
Second belt support device 8 ″ includes a second generally planar surface 22 that is substantially coplanar with the first surface 21 and has a first vacuum reduction degree. Device 1
9 includes a first recess 23 located at a height below the first and second surfaces 21 and 22, the first passage 24 extending the first recess 23 to atmospheric pressure. Connected and preferably located below either or both of the first and second surfaces 21 and 22.

The vacuum conveyor 1 "'" described above and illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 also includes a plurality of linearly spaced openings 15' to provide an elongated vacuum chamber 4'and a first belt support. It is possible to have a first vacuum regulator 14 'which is arranged between the devices 8 "and which has an opening 15' which is in vacuum communication with the vacuum chamber 4 '.

The vacuum conveyor 1 "'" described above and illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 also has an elongated endless belt having linearly spaced openings 15' in the first vacuum regulator member 14 '. Performing the function of varying the degree of vacuum applied to the planar surface 3 of the moved object 2 as a function of linear distance along the elongated infinite belt 6 ", including the function of varying as a function of linear distance along 6 It would be possible to provide a vacuum force changing device 16 '''for this purpose.

Finally, the vacuum conveyor 1 '''' is also the first
Elongated vacuum chamber having a plurality of linearly spaced openings 15 'in the vacuum regulator member 14' is larger than the width of the first belt support opening 9 "in the first belt support device 8". By having a width smaller than the width of the opening device 5'in the 4 ', it is possible to provide a structure for dealing with the problem of fiber jamming from the cardboard.

Another embodiment of the vacuum conveyor 1 "is shown in FIG.
This is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8. In this form of the invention, the conveyor 1 "is used with a device such as the rotary cutting knife 50 illustrated in FIG.
In this environment, the vacuum conveyor 1 "is used to pull the web 43 of sheet material from a cardboard machine (not shown) for continuously producing the corrugated paper web 43 and pass it through the slitter 44. In the past, as shown in FIG.
7 and 48, these pinch rollers exert a compressive force on the corrugated cardboard and split from the corrugated cardboard machine and slitter 44.
The webs 43a and 43b thus formed are grasped and pulled. Due to the increased use of recycled materials in forming cardboard, the fibers are shorter and the cardboard is more susceptible to crushing by pinch rollers 47 and 48. In order to minimize the crushing of the cardboard and still maintain the required pulling force, a conveyor as illustrated in Figure 1 has been developed.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, the vacuum conveyor 1 '''has a structure in which the second opening device 25 is formed in the elongated vacuum chamber 4'. The device 25 is laterally spaced from the first opening device 5'and extends over a substantially elongated section of the vacuum chamber 4 '. Further, the elongated infinite belt 6'is provided with a second member in the vacuum chamber 4 '.
A second plurality of perforation openings 26 arranged in vacuum communication with said opening device 25 of said second perforation opening 26 in said vacuum chamber 4'in endless belt 6 '. It has a width larger than the width of the second opening device 25.

In a further improved type of vacuum conveyor 1 "'illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the conveyor 1"' is replaced by a second belt support device 18 and a first belt support device 8 '. A second belt support device 18 transversely spaced from the ″ and arranged in substantially the same plane as the first belt support device 8 ″ and supporting a lateral portion 28 of the elongated endless belt 6 ′. In order to reduce the frictional resistance on the lateral portion 28 of the elongated endless belt 6'supported by the support device 18, a first belt support device 8 "arranged between the first belt support device 8" and the second belt support device 18 is provided. 1 and a third belt support device 29 having a generally planar shape and extending laterally and longitudinally to form an endless belt 6 '.
Has a width smaller than that of the second chamber in the vacuum chamber 4 '.
Third belt support device 29 having a third aperture device 30 in vacuum communication with the second belt support device 25 and extending over a substantially elongated portion of the endless belt 6'and a fourth belt support device 31. Laterally spaced from the third belt support device 29 and arranged in substantially the same plane as the first belt support device 8 ", and the lateral portion 32 of the elongated endless belt 6 '.
A third belt supporting device 29 for supporting the
Third to reduce the frictional resistance on the lateral portion 32 of the elongated endless belt 6'supported by the belt support device 31 of
The second vacuum degree reducing device 33 is disposed between the belt supporting device 29 and the fourth belt supporting device 31.

It should be understood that the first and second vacuum reducers 19 and 33 illustrated in FIG. 6 are not the only vacuum reducers available. It is possible to provide a third reduction device in the area indicated by the number 70 below the central part of the belt 6 ′, which device takes the form of a wide split groove communicating with the atmosphere or connected to the atmosphere. It can take the form of a plurality of elongated slits or openings in the formed surface.

In order to reduce clogging of the various orifices, the vacuum conveyor 1 "'' described above and illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 has a first opening device 5'in the elongated vacuum chamber 4'with a first opening device 5 '. The elongated groove 5 ', the second opening device 25 in the elongated vacuum chamber 4'becomes the second elongated groove 25, and the first belt support device 8 "forms the first pair of elongated lands 21 and 36. A first opening device 5'in the first belt support device 8 "includes a groove 9" between the first elongated lands 21 and 36, and a first opening device 5'in the vacuum chamber 4 '.
The second elongated vacuum chamber groove 25 in the third belt support device 29 such that the groove 5'of the second elongated vacuum chamber groove 25 is wider than the groove 9 "between the first elongated lands 21 and 36. To be wider, the transverse width of a substantial portion of the linearly spaced first openings in the elongated endless belt 6'has a first opening device 9 "in the first belt support device 8". Of the linearly spaced second openings 26 in the elongate endless belt 6 ′ such that the transverse width of the third part in the third belt support device 29 is larger than the width of the third belt support device 29. Each of them is configured to be larger than the width of the opening device 30.

Another form of the vacuum conveyor 1 "'" for regulating the vacuum described above and illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a first vacuum regulator member 14', which comprises a plurality of linear A spaced opening 15 'is formed and is disposed between the elongate vacuum chamber 4'and the first belt support 8 "and the first vacuum regulator 14' is within the elongate vacuum chamber 4 '. First elongated groove 5'and first
A first vacuum degree regulator member 14 'and a second vacuum degree regulator member 37 which are in vacuum communication with the first belt support opening device 9 "in the belt support apparatus 8".
A plurality of linearly spaced openings 38 are formed and are disposed between the elongated vacuum chamber 4'and the third belt support device 29 and are linearly arranged within the second vacuum regulator 37. The spaced openings 38 are in second vacuum degree regulator member 37 in vacuum communication with the second elongated groove 25 in the elongated vacuum chamber 4'and the third opening device 30 in the third belt support device 29. And a plurality of linearly spaced openings 15 'and 38 in the first and second vacuum regulators 14' and 37, each opening being in the first belt support 8 ". Of the first opening device 5'and the second opening device 25 in the vacuum chamber 4 ', each having a width greater than that of the device 9 "and the third opening device 30 in the third belt support device 29. Each has a width smaller than the width And a mouth 15 'and 38.

It is possible to construct a vacuum conveyor 1 "'" which is more efficient than that described above and illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which case the second belt support device 18 is the first. And a first passage 24 for reducing the degree of vacuum between the second belt support device 18 and the elongated endless belt 6'in communication with the atmosphere.
The fourth belt supporting device 31 is the second vacuum degree reducing device 33.
And a second for reducing the vacuum between the fourth belt support device 31 and the elongated endless belt 6'in communication with the atmosphere.
It includes a passage 40.

It should be understood that a vacuum conveyor may be constructed that does not have all the features illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. For example, the vacuum conveyor 1 '''may be constructed without a vacuum regulator or may have the particular orifice size described above. Instead of configuring the vacuum conveyor to have the features described above, a second
Belt support 18 includes a first vacuum reduction device 19 and a first passage 24 in communication with the atmosphere for reducing the vacuum between the second belt support 18 and the elongated endless belt 6 '. The fourth belt support device 31 is the second
And a second passage 40 for reducing the degree of vacuum between the fourth belt supporting device 31 and the elongated endless belt 6'in communication with the atmosphere.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vacuum conveyor 1 "is shown in (Martin) US Pat. No. 4,493,323.
It is configured to operate by being connected to a rotary cutting knife device 50 as described in No. 5. The vacuum conveyor 1 "replaces the pinch rollers 47 and 48. The vacuum conveyor 1" includes a lower row 51 and an upper row 52, each row including a plurality of endless belts 6'mounted side by side. Each belt 6'has first and second perforation openings 7 and 26 in vacuum communication with the vacuum chamber 4 '. The vacuum chamber 4'is in vacuum communication with the generator 10 which is connected to the vacuum chamber 4'via vacuum pipes 54 and 55, respectively. The endless belt 6'is mounted on and driven by drive shafts 56 and 57 and idler shafts 58 and 59.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an exploded view of the parts of the vacuum conveyor 1 "shown in FIG. 1, in which the endless belt 6'is shown here as an elongated split groove. Belt support device 8 ″ ″ with first and third opening devices 9 ″ and 30, linearly spaced openings 1
Overlying a vacuum chamber 4'forming first and second vacuum regulator members 14 'and 37, respectively, 5'and 38, and a first opening device 5'and a second opening device 25. An upper wall 61 is included.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated another form of vacuum regulator used in the vacuum conveyor 1 ", in which the first and second vacuum regulator members 14" and 37 'are provided. The respective linearly spaced apertures 15 'and 15 "and 38 and 38' in each are selectively spaced from one another so as to be added to the object 2 to be conveyed, such as split webs 43a and 43b. The degree of vacuum is selectively variable as a function of linear distance along the elongated infinite belt 6 '. As can be seen in Figure 5, the first and second vacuum regulator members 14 "and 37' are singular. It can be integrally connected as one member.

The operation of the vacuum conveyor 1 illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12 is performed as follows. The vacuum is applied to the vacuum chamber 4 by a vacuum generator such as the vacuum generator 10 illustrated in FIG. The endless belt 6 is placed in close contact with the belt support device 8 illustrated in FIG. 10 as being the top surface of the vacuum chamber 4. The vacuum is conducted through the first opening device 5 and the opening device 9 in the belt support device 8. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the first opening device 5 and the opening device 9 in the belt supporting device 8 are a single passage. Since the belt 6 is formed with a plurality of spaced apart first perforation openings 7,
The vacuum can reach a substantially planar surface 3 of an object 2, such as a sheet of cardboard paper, a die cut material for a container, an assembled container or a cardboard web sheet. As the belt 6 moves over the vacuum chamber, the vacuum is transferred to the backside of the object 2 and the transient dynamics on the area of the surface 3 of the object 2 which approximately corresponds to the area of the perforation opening 7 in the infinite belt 6. A joint is formed. Vacuum chamber 4
Since the first opening device 5 therein is basically continuous,
The degree of vacuum is basically continuously maintained as long as the object 2 is in contact with the infinite belt 2. In fact, the conveyed object 2 is firmly aspirated by an infinite belt, as if a series of moving suction cups were clamped against the planar surface of the object 2 and moves with it as it moves. The force for holding the object 2 against the belt 6 is, of course, the degree of vacuum in the vacuum chamber, the belt support opening device 9
Depending on the opening area within and the area of the perforation opening 7 within the endless belt 6.

Of course, when the first perforation opening 7 is covered by the object 2, the vacuum force acts on the non-perforated area of the belt 6 and causes the belt to be conveyed to the upper surface of the vacuum chamber. 2. Suction with a force almost equal to the upward suction force. This vacuum force acting between the surface of the vacuum chamber and the non-perforated portion of the belt acts as a frictional resistance to the movement of the belt. This frictional force between the belt and the vacuum chamber induces heat and promotes wear on the underside of the belt. Wear on the underside of belt 6 effectively modifies the length of the belt acted upon by drive pulleys 63 and 64. If the wear occurs unevenly on the adjacent belt 6, the belt will try to move at different speeds. If the belt moves at different speeds, the object being conveyed will try to rotate, causing a serious problem of skewing, where the object 2 leaves the vacuum conveyor and moves relative to the object like a stacker. When transported to a different machine that expects to be stowed without skew orientation, it can disrupt the regular flow of the object 2.

A relatively high degree of vacuum is required in many applications where the objects being conveyed enter the vacuum belt conveyor at a relatively low speed and must be accelerated to a relatively high speed. In a standard belt conveyor that does not use vacuum, the belt tends to slide on the backside of the object until the friction between the belt and the object is sufficient to increase the speed of the object to that of the belt. During this slippage, objects can change their orientation with respect to the belt, especially if there are multiple proximity belts, which is especially the case for stackers and unloading machines of all kinds. Can cause various problems in interfacing with downstream machines such as.

Applying a vacuum to the conveyed object through the perforated openings in the belt induces belt wear problems in prior art conveyors and requires the use of more powerful motors to move the belt. Is brought.

The key to reducing friction and reducing friction on the belt 6 is to minimize the area of the belt 6 that is held firmly to the surface of the vacuum chamber 4 by vacuum forces. As shown in FIGS. 9-12, a substantial portion of the belt 6 extends beyond the belt support 8 of the conveyor 4 and thus is not exposed to vacuum forces.

As described above and illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the area of the belt 6 exposed to the vacuum force is
And 13 can be reduced by mounting them on the upper surface of the vacuum chamber. The width of the rails 12 and 13 can be substantially narrower than the width of the vacuum chamber and the width of the belt 6. Thus rail 1
Friction resistance on belt 6 is minimized because only the surface of belt 6 in contact with 2 and 13 is exposed to vacuum forces. As mentioned above, the belt 6 is made of a material that is sufficiently rigid to prevent it from contacting surfaces other than rails for a significant period of time.

The vacuum regulator 14 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 is the first opening device 5 in the vacuum chamber 4.
One of several ways of reducing the vacuum transferred to the object 2 by reducing the area of the passage between the area of the opening device 9'between the rails 12 and 13 and. . The area and spacing between the linearly spaced openings in the first vacuum regulator member 14 depends on the parameters of the weight of the conveyed object 2, the speed and acceleration of the conveyed object and the inclination of the conveyor. It has been chosen to apply a vacuum force to the object 2 to be set.

FIG. 3 illustrates a vacuum conveyor 1 ″,
In the conveyor, the degree of vacuum transferred to the objects to be conveyed is substantially due to the provision of at least two rows of openings in the belt 6 ', namely the first perforation openings 7 and the second perforation openings 26. Can be increased to In this form of the invention, the areas of the belt 6'that are in contact with the areas of the first belt support device 8 "'" outside the opening device 9 "and outside the third opening device 30 are exposed to vacuum forces. Be done.

A third vacuum reduction device 70 'is provided to reduce the vacuum force between the central portion of the belt 6'and the first and third belt support devices 8''' and 29 '. The device is vented to the atmosphere. Thus, a vacuum condition between the belt 6'and the first belt support device 8 '"is between the first belt support opening device 9" and the edge 85 and the third opening of the third belt support device 29'. Device 3
It only occurs between 0 and edge 86 '. It should be understood that the air gap 90 between adjacent vacuum conveyors 1 ″ is open to the atmosphere.

To further reduce the vacuum-induced friction on the belt 6 ', a vacuum reducer is designed to reduce the friction on a portion of the belt, illustrated in FIGS. Has been done. In one form of the invention, a first vacuum reduction device 19 and a second vacuum reduction device 33 are provided, which are recesses in the belt support device that are open to the atmosphere or It can consist of grooves. Although these grooves can open to the atmosphere at their ends, one of the simplest ways to open grooves 19 and 13 to the atmosphere, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is the atmosphere. In addition, a plurality of first and second passages 24 and 40 that are electrically connected to the first and second vacuum degree reducing devices 19 and 33 are provided. The widths of the grooves 19 and 33 and the dimensions of the passages 24 and 40 can be selected depending on the degree of vacuum reduction required between the belt 6 and the belt support devices 8 "and 29.

If the vacuum conveyor illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 operates, and if no part of the object 2 covers the perforation openings 7 or 26 in the belt 6 ', the vacuum force will be the openings 7 and 26. The vacuum force is barely used to hold the belt 6'to the belt support devices 8 "and 29 through the atmosphere to the atmosphere.
The vacuum covers the openings 7 and 26, the vacuum force holds the object 2 on the belt 6'and
A portion of the surrounding belt 6'is retained on the upper surface of the belt supports 8 "and 29. Open to the atmosphere to reduce the vacuum between the belt 6'and the belt supports 8" and 29. It is possible to break this vacuum connection by providing grooves 19 and 30 which are present. The vacuum is thus provided on the underside of the belt 6'in the transverse section 20 and on the second planar surface 22 and on the fourth belt support device 3.
1 and between the undersides of the belt 6 ′ in the lateral part 32.

One of the features of the present invention is that not only the vacuum conveyor can convey the object 2, but also the object 2 such as the web 43.
Since it is also possible to firmly grip the paper, the web 43 is formed (not shown) and the slitter 44 illustrated in FIG.
Pulling from another machine like a rotary cutting knife 50
It means that it can be inserted into a machine like. The vacuum conveyor 1 ″ illustrated in FIG. 1 has pinch rollers 47 and 4
8 and the rising ramp 66. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the slitter 44 cuts the web 43 into two webs 43a and 43b which are fed to two cutting knives provided at different heights and which are different. Material 67 that can have a length
And 68.

The vacuum conveyor 1 "illustrated in FIG. 1 can be configured as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 or 5 and 6.

By way of example, referring to FIG. 6, the first belt support device 8 ″ can be made from a plastic having a low coefficient of friction and can have a thickness of about 6.35 mm. The opening devices 5 ′ and 25 of FIG. 3 can have a width of about 6.35 mm, and the opening device 9 ″ and the third opening device 30 can have a width of about 0.25 mm.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, yet another form of the present invention is illustrated in which at least one relatively flat object surface is provided whose planar surface is not suitable for vacuum transfer. The vacuum conveyor 8 '"'" for moving objects having a relatively non-porous substantial area comprises: That is, an elongated vacuum chamber 4 having a first opening device 5 and a plurality of elongated infinite belts 6 ″ arranged in vacuum communication with the upper surface 72 supporting the object and the opening device 5 in the vacuum chamber 4. Has a first perforation opening 7 and is rigid enough to hold a portion of the area of the endless belt in a generally planar position and is arranged laterally on both sides of the opening device 5 in the vacuum chamber 4. , Endless belt 6 ″ having suspension portions 73 and 74 forming a vacuum seal with the vacuum chamber 4.

The suspended portion of the belt is a perforated belt opening 7
Can be in the form of a belt 6 ″ as illustrated in FIG. 16 having a thicker wall thickness in the vicinity of the belt edge and a thinner wall thickness in the outer edge. Is to lift the main part of the belt above the vacuum chamber 4 so that the area of the bottom surface of the belt 6 "in frictional contact with the surface of the vacuum chamber, which is also exposed to vacuum, is minimized.

The belt 6 ″ is provided with an additional suspension projection outside the opening 7, which will support its thin section, which engages on the upper side wall 61 of the vacuum chamber 4 to obtain said supporting action. Such protrusions are, of course, necessary to drive the belt by making it as narrow as practicable and minimizing frictional contact resistance with the upper wall 61 of the vacuum chamber. Energy should be reduced.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, in which the vacuum conveyor 1 '''''''has an elongated vacuum chamber 4 "with a first opening device 5, An elongate endless belt 6 having a plurality of first perforated openings 7 arranged in vacuum communication with an opening device 5 in a vacuum chamber 4 ", the belt holding a part thereof in a generally planar position. Endless belt 6 with a rigidity that allows it and a longitudinal direction that can be formed as part of the vacuum chamber or as projections 76 and 77 formed as separate projections mounted on the vacuum chamber 4 ". To the first belt support device extending to
The first opening device 5 in the vacuum chamber with the infinite belt 6
Comprises a first belt support device for lifting and supporting above the vacuum chamber 4 "along a line laterally arranged from the endless belt 6 and forming a vacuum seal for the vacuum chamber 4". ing. Again, the primary purpose of the protrusions 76 and 77 is to minimize the frictional contact resistance of the belt 7 with the portion of the belt support apparatus that is exposed to vacuum.

Referring to FIGS. 19-22, yet another form of the present invention is illustrated. As illustrated, the vacuum force altering device 16 "'" has a first opening device 5 "and 5"'"in the vacuum chamber 4"'so that the openings 5 "are relatively spaced apart. , The openings 5 "'" are relatively closely spaced. Generally, the openings 5 "'" are placed closer together at the upstream end of the conveyor so that the first portion of the conveyor 1 "'""where the object requires a higher degree of vacuum. A greater vacuum force can be applied to the object when entering the. The variably spaced openings 5 "and 5""are directly connected to the vacuum chamber 4"".
It is possible to omit a separate regulator member such as the vacuum regulator member 14 illustrated in FIG. 14 by forming a hole by a laser, for example. In some applications it would be possible to place the belt 6 directly on the upper surface of the vacuum chamber 4 "", but in many cases rails 12 'and 13 directly on the upper wall of the vacuum chamber 4 "". It would be preferable to wear a'to reduce the area of the belt 6 that is exposed to vacuum pressure. These rails can also be joined to the vacuum chamber 4 '''by a special adhesive in order to omit welding. The rails 12 'and 13' should be spaced a distance selected to form the split groove opening 9 '''. The split groove opening 9 ″ ″ is the opening 7 in the belt 6.
Smaller than the diameter of the opening 5'and in the vacuum chamber
And preferably with a width less than 5 "".

Referring to FIG. 6, the vacuum conveyor 1 '''
Is provided with a third vacuum reducing device 70 which is in communication with the atmospheric pressure between the first belt supporting device 8 ″ and the third belt supporting device 29, and the frictional resistance acting on the lateral portion of the infinite belt 6 ′. Further, the second belt supporting device 18 includes the first vacuum reducing device 19 and the first passage 24 communicating with the atmosphere, so that the second belt supporting device 18 and the elongated infinite belt can be provided. The degree of vacuum between the belts 6'can be reduced.Furthermore, the fourth belt support device 31 includes the second degree of vacuum reduction device 33 and the second passage 40 communicating with the atmosphere, so that the fourth belt support device 31 can be provided. The degree of vacuum between the support device 31 and the elongated belt 6'can be reduced.

Still referring to FIG. 6, the vacuum conveyor 1 '''' can also include a first vacuum regulator member 14 ', which includes a plurality of linearly spaced openings 15'. It can be formed and arranged between the elongated vacuum chamber 4 ′ and the first belt support device 8. The first vacuum regulator 14 '
The linearly spaced openings 15 'therein are in vacuum communication with the first opening device 5'in the elongated vacuum chamber 4'as well as the opening device 9 "in the first belt support device 8". A second vacuum regulator member 37 disposed within the elongated vacuum chamber 4 ′ and the third belt support device 29 that defines a plurality of linearly spaced openings 38 and within the member 37. The linearly spaced openings 38 are in vacuum communication with the second elongate opening device 25 in the elongate vacuum chamber 4'and the third opening device 30 in the third belt support device 29. Further, each of the plurality of linearly spaced apertures 15 'and 38 in the first and second vacuum regulator members 14' and 37 is generally in the first belt support device 8 ". Of the first opening device 5 ″ and the second opening device of the vacuum chamber 4 ′ having a width larger than that of the third opening device 30 in the third belt support device 29 and the opening device 9 ″ in the vacuum chamber 4 ′. Each has a width smaller than the width of 25.

Referring to FIG. 7, the vacuum conveyor 1 '"'""is also a fifth belt support device 79, said first and third belt support devices 8" and 2 ".
Transversely spaced between 9 and arranged in substantially the same plane as the first and third belt support devices 8 "and 29, supporting the central portion of the elongated endless belt 6'and providing a third vacuum. It is possible to have a fifth belt support 79 which, in cooperation with the deceleration device 70, provides an atmospheric interface for the elongated endless belt 6 '.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 7, the vacuum conveyor 1 """""includes the first and third belt support devices 8".
And 29 first and third opening devices 9 "and 3
First openings 80 and 8 each of which communicates with first and second opening devices 5'and 25 in the vacuum chamber 4 '.
1 and to include second openings 82 and 83 in communication with the first and second plurality of openings 7 and 26 in the endless belt 6'and also in the first and third belt support devices 8 "and 29. The first openings 80 and 81 can be configured to have a greater effective width than the second openings 82 and 83 in the first and third belt support devices 8 ″ and 29, respectively.

As mentioned above, while the object of the present invention is to maximize the attractive force between the object being conveyed and the infinite belt,
At the same time, the vacuum force between the belt and the belt support is minimized. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in order to achieve the aforesaid object, the structure of the conveyor is such that the part between the edges 84 and 85 of the first belt support device 8 ″ and the edge of the third belt support device 29. A portion of belt 6'between 86 and 87 is exposed to vacuum. At the same time, between outer edge 88 and edge 84 supported by first belt support 8 "and second belt support 18. The portion of the belt 6 at and the portion of the belt 6 between the edge 87 and the outer edge 89 supported by the third belt support device 29 and the fourth belt support device 31 are exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the portion of the belt 6 that contacts the upper sidewall of the vacuum chamber 4 is exposed to vacuum while all the outer portions thereof are exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the portion of belt 6 that contacts rails 12 and 13 is exposed to vacuum, while all outer portions are exposed to atmospheric pressure.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the suspension portions 73 and 74 of the belt 6 ″ that contact the upper side wall 61 of the vacuum chamber 4 are exposed to vacuum, while all outer portions are exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the portion of belt 6 between belt support members 76 and 77 is exposed to vacuum while all outer portions are exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the portions of belt 6 that contact rails 12'a and 13 'are exposed to vacuum pressure, while the outer portions are exposed to atmospheric pressure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a perspective view of one form of the present invention used in conjunction with the slitter and rotary cutting knife shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typical slitter and conventional cutting knife equipment using pinch rollers instead of the vacuum conveyor of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a conveyor of one form of the present invention, taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of another form of vacuum conveyor of the present invention, similar to the portion of the conveyor shown in FIG. 5. FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the infinite belt removed for simplicity,
FIG. 6 is a top view of a portion of another form of conveyor of the present invention,
The view is taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 6 to provide information. Note that this drawing is a modified form of a part of the conveyor illustrated in FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the conveyor of the present invention taken along line 4A-4A of FIG.

7 is a view similar to that of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6 and illustrating yet another form of the invention taken along line 4A-4A of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a portion of another form of vacuum regulator illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of another form of the vacuum conveyor.

10 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum conveyor illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the form of the vacuum conveyor illustrated in FIG. 9 in connection with another form of vacuum belt.

12 is a line 6D-6 of the vacuum conveyor illustrated in FIG.
The cross-sectional view seen along D.

FIG. 13 is a top view of another form of the vacuum conveyor of the present invention.

14 is a line 7B-7 of the vacuum conveyor illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum conveyor as viewed along B, with the cross-sectional view of the cardboard sheet added.

FIG. 15 is a top view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8A-8A of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a top view of another form of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9A-9A of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a top view of another form of the vacuum conveyor of the present invention.

20 is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor of FIG. 19 taken along line 10B-10B.

FIG. 21 is a top view of another form of the present invention.

22 is a tie line 10D-10 of the invention illustrated in FIG.
The cross-sectional view seen along D.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Vacuum Conveyor 2 Transported Object 3 Relatively Plane Surface 4 Elongated Vacuum Chamber 5 First Opening Device 6 Elongate Endless Belt 7 Multiple First Perforation Openings 8 First Belt Supporting Device 9 First Belt Supporting Opening Device 10 Vacuum generator 11 Belt drive device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An object having at least one relatively planar surface, the planar surface of the object having a substantial region that is relatively non-porous for vacuum transfer. A vacuum conveyor for moving a moving object, the vacuum conveyor being formed of a material having a selected rigidity for a selected bending, the conveyor comprising: (a) a first opening device; An elongated vacuum chamber having: (b) an elongated infinite belt, having a plurality of first perforation openings arranged in vacuum communication with the first opening device in the vacuum chamber; An infinite belt having a rigidity capable of holding a part of the region of the belt in a substantially planar position; and (c) a first belt supporting device extending in the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction, and From the width A first belt support device having a first effective opening having a small effective width and being in vacuum communication with the vacuum chamber and extending over a substantially elongated portion of the endless belt; and (d) the vacuum. A vacuum conveyor having a vacuum generator for applying suction to the chamber, and (e) a drive device for moving the infinite belt in the longitudinal direction. 2. An object with at least one relatively planar surface, the planar surface of the object having a substantial area that is relatively non-porous for vacuum transfer. A vacuum conveyor for moving an object, the vacuum conveyor being formed of a material having a selected rigidity with respect to a selected bending, wherein the conveyor is (a) an elongated vacuum chamber , A first opening device,
A vacuum chamber having a belt lifting protrusion formed on opposite sides of the first opening device; and (b) an elongated infinite belt arranged to establish vacuum communication with the opening device in the vacuum chamber. A plurality of first perforation openings, and rigidity that can maintain a portion of the infinite belt in a substantially planar position, forming an infinite vacuum with the lifting projection on the vacuum chamber. A vacuum conveyor having a belt, (c) a vacuum generating device for applying a suction force into the vacuum chamber, and (d) a driving device for moving the infinite belt in the longitudinal direction. 3. An object with at least one relatively planar surface, the planar surface of the object having a substantial region that is relatively non-porous for vacuum transfer. A vacuum conveyor for moving a moving object, the vacuum conveyor being formed of a material having a selected rigidity for a selected bending, the conveyor comprising: (a) a first opening device; An elongated vacuum chamber comprising: (b) an elongated infinite belt, arranged to be in vacuum communication with the opening device in the vacuum chamber, and rigid enough to maintain a portion of the infinite belt in a substantially planar position. An endless belt having a plurality of first perforation openings, and (c) a first belt support device extending in the longitudinal direction,
The endless belt is supported above the vacuum chamber along a line transversely arranged from the first opening device in the vacuum chamber and forms a vacuum seal with the endless belt and the vacuum chamber. First
A belt supporting device of (1), (d) a vacuum generating device for applying a suction force to the vacuum chamber, and (e) a driving device for moving the infinite belt in the longitudinal direction. 4. An object having at least one relatively planar surface, the planar surface of the object having a substantial region that is relatively non-porous for vacuum transfer. A vacuum conveyor for moving a moving object, the vacuum conveyor being formed of a material having a selected rigidity for a selected bending, the conveyor comprising: (a) a first opening device; An elongated vacuum chamber comprising: (b) an elongated infinite belt, an upper surface for supporting the object; and a plurality of first perforation openings arranged in vacuum communication with the opening device in the vacuum chamber. And a rigidity capable of maintaining a part of the region of the endless belt in a planar position as a whole, and forming a suspension portion arranged in the vacuum chamber on both sides of the opening device in a transverse direction. Then An infinite belt that forms a vacuum seal with the vacuum chamber; (c) a vacuum generator that applies suction to the vacuum chamber; and (d) an infinite belt that moves in the longitudinal direction. A vacuum conveyor having a drive unit.