EP3931139A1 - Station and method for receiving sheet elements for a machine for manufacturing packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a station for receiving sheet elements and discharging bundles of sheet elements for a machine for manufacturing packaging, comprising: - an arrangement for feeding sheet elements successively one after another (8), - a lifting table (16), which is movable in a vertical direction, comprising a plurality of endless conveyor belts (17) extending in a longitudinal horizontal direction, for receiving the sheet elements in the form of a bundle, - an output conveyor (14), for discharging the sheet elements in the form of a bundle, and - a separator (21), which is movable in the vertical direction, comprising a plurality of receiving arms (22) that deploy in the longitudinal horizontal direction, for the transient reception of the sheet elements in the form of a bundle, the arms (22) being disposed so as to be able to cross in the vertical direction without interacting with the belts (17) of the table (16).

Description

Station and method for receiving plate elements for a packaging manufacturing machine

[0001] The invention relates to a station for receiving plate elements and discharging packages of plate elements for a packaging manufacturing machine. The invention also relates to a machine for making packages from plate members, comprising a station for receiving, stacking and discharging packages of plate members. The invention also relates to a method of receiving plate elements for a packaging manufacturing machine.

[0002] A packaging manufacturing machine is commonly used for making cardboard boxes or cases from plate elements, for example in the form of corrugated cardboard sheets. The plate elements are introduced successively into the machine, advancing continuously from upstream to downstream in the longitudinal direction of drive. They are automatically printed by flexography, cut and upset, so as to form boxes poses. On leaving the machine, the plate elements are received and stacked, and the packages obtained are then discharged. A receiving station is in charge of receiving sheet elements and making packages of sheet elements.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] Document EP0666234 describes a station for stacking, separating and discharging packets of plate elements. The station includes a vertically movable lifting table, accommodating falling plate elements for stacking. The table gradually descends to the level of an output conveyor, picking up and discharging a bundle of plate elements after it is formed. A separator moves vertically and horizontally. After the formation of a package, the separator overhangs the lifting table and then intervenes to support the plate elements of the next package. The lift table then transfers the newly formed package to the exit conveyor which discharges the package. The separator is then retracted and the lifting table can then collect the plate elements from the next package.

Such a station has drawbacks. First, the plate element at the bottom of the pack is very often damaged when the separator is retracted. In addition, the separator has a certain inertia. It is difficult to move it during a cycle at a speed compatible with the stacking rates required for the plate elements. Such a separator may also prove incompatible with certain modes of transverse alignment of the plate elements.

[0006] Document EP 0501213 describes a station for stacking, separating and discharging packages of plate elements. The station includes means for feeding the plate elements, retractable supports forming a temporary stacking magazine, placed above a package evacuation device.

[0007] Such a station has drawbacks. In particular, the first plate element arriving in the stacking magazine will come into contact with, and be damaged by the retractable supports. In addition, due to the fixed height position of the retractable supports, the temporary stacking magazine will be saturated more quickly with plate elements arriving at high speed, which limits the general productivity of the printing line or transformation.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] The invention aims to resolve one or more of these drawbacks. A main objective of the present invention is to develop a station for receiving plate elements making it possible to avoid falling off plate elements and packages. A second objective is to provide a packaging manufacturing machine comprising a station for receiving plate elements and removing packages of plate elements, installed at the downstream outlet of the machine. Yet another objective is that of successfully implementing a process for receiving plate elements for a packaging manufacturing machine. [0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a station for receiving plate elements and removing packages of plate elements for a packaging manufacturing machine is characterized in that it comprises:

[0011] - an arrangement for supplying the plate elements successively one after the other,

- a lifting table, movable in a vertical direction, comprising several endless transport belts, extending in a longitudinal horizontal direction, to receive the plate elements in the form of a package,

- an output conveyor, to remove the plate elements in the form of a package, and

- a separator, movable in the vertical direction, comprising several receiving arms extending in the longitudinal horizontal direction, to transiently receive the plate elements in the form of a package, the arms being arranged so as to be able to cross according to vertical direction without interacting with the endless conveyor belts of the lifting table.

[0015] In other words, with the separator the packet is transiently received and transferred without falling from the separator to the lifting table by virtue of their vertical crossing. The conveyor belts of the lifting table are arranged alternately, so that they can cross with the arms of the separator. The arms of the separator constitute a grid for receiving the package being formed, and are able to pass between the conveyor belts of the lifting table. The package is thus transferred smoothly and without dropping from the arms of the separator to the belts of the lifting table, thanks to their vertical crossing.

A plate element is defined, by way of non-exhaustive example, as being made of a material such as paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, laminated corrugated cardboard, flexible plastic, or other materials again.

[0017] According to a particular characteristic, the arms of the separator may be able to move in the longitudinal horizontal direction, from downstream to upstream, so as to be able to position them above the lifting table, and from upstream to downstream, so as to be able to retract them out of the stroke of the lifting table.

[0018] According to one particular characteristic, the separator can preferably comprise:

- a support, the support being slidably mounted in a vertical direction,

[0020] - at least one arm, the arm or arms being mounted being able to move in the longitudinal horizontal direction relative to the support, the displacement of the arm or arms modifying the length of the arm or arms cantilevered with respect to to the support on a first side in the longitudinal horizontal direction, and

- a drive system for moving the arm or arms in the horizontal longitudinal direction, the drive system being configured to simultaneously drive the arm moving in the horizontal longitudinal direction and keep retracted another of the arms in its longitudinal position .

[0022] According to a particular characteristic, the separator thus comprises first of all a vertically movable support. And, the receiving arms of the separator are driven in a longitudinal horizontal translational movement, separately from the movement of the support.

According to a particular characteristic, and in a favorable manner, the lifting table can be movable between a high position under the supply arrangement of the plate elements and a low position in a plane similar to the plane of the outlet conveyor. evacuation of the package. Since the lift table is located in its maximum height position directly below the plate element infeed arrangement, the plate elements will come and go directly on the lift table.

[0024] According to a particular characteristic, the belts of the lifting table may advantageously be able to drive the package from upstream to downstream on the output conveyor. [0025] According to one particular characteristic, and preferably, the output conveyor can comprise at least one belt, which is able to drive the package upstream from the lifting table downstream.

According to another aspect of the invention, a packaging manufacturing machine is characterized in that it comprises a station for receiving plate elements and removing packages of plate elements, installed at the downstream outlet of the machine, and having one or more technical characteristics described and claimed below.

[0027] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of receiving plate elements for a packaging manufacturing machine, is characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

- successively depositing plate elements on a vertically movable table, so as to form a first package of plate elements;

[0029] - lowering the mobile table vertically vertically with the plate elements deposited successively to complete the formation of the first package of plate elements;

- bring in a movable separator vertically above the vertically movable table;

- successively deposit the plate elements on the vertically movable separator, so as to form a second package of plate elements;

- horizontally evacuate from the vertically movable table the first formed package;

- lowering the movable separator vertically vertically with the plate elements deposited successively to complete the formation of the second package of plate elements;

- vertically raise the mobile table vertically;

- Crossing the vertically moving table rising vertically empty with the movable separator vertically descending vertically, so as to recover the second package of plate elements from the movable separator vertically to the vertically movable table; and - Bring out the movable separator vertically out of the travel path of the vertically movable table.

[0037] Thanks to the dynamic operation of the vertically movable table and of the vertically movable separator, the packet is thus transferred smoothly from the vertically movable separator which descends to the vertically movable table which rises.

[0038] According to a particular characteristic, the step consisting in bringing in the movable separator vertically can preferably be done in the longitudinal horizontal direction from downstream to upstream towards the top of the circulation plane of the plate elements, then in the vertical direction from the top of the traffic plane, to the bottom of the traffic plane.

[0039] According to a particular characteristic, the step of bringing out the movable separator vertically can be carried out favorably in the longitudinal horizontal direction from upstream to downstream.

[0040] The invention also relates to the following variants. Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the characteristics of the following variants can be combined independently with the above characteristics, without constituting an intermediate generalization.

Brief description of the drawings

[0042] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] [Fig. 1] is a side view of the downstream station for receiving plate elements and discharging packages;

[0044] [Fig.2] shows a detailed side view of the station of Figure 1;

[0045] [Fig.3] is a view along the longitudinal axis of the table and of the separator of the station; and

[0046] [Fig.4],

[0047] [Fig.5],

[0048] [Fig.6], [0049] [Fig.7],

[0050] [Fig.8],

[0051] [Fig.9],

[0052] [Fig.10],

[0053] [Fig.1 1],

[0054] [Fig.12],

[0055] [Fig.13],

[0056] [Fig.14] and

[0057] [Fig.15] represent successive views illustrating the method of receiving plate elements.

[0058] The longitudinal direction is defined with reference to the direction of travel or drive of the plate elements in the packaging manufacturing machine, in the receiving station of plate elements, along their median longitudinal axis. The transverse direction is defined as being the direction perpendicular in a horizontal plane to the direction of travel of the plate elements. The upstream and downstream directions are defined with reference to the direction of movement of the sheet elements, along the longitudinal direction in the entire packaging manufacturing machine, from the entry of the machine to the exit of the machine and the receiving station for the plate elements.

[0059] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a packaging manufacturing machine, such as a flexographic printing machine 1 of corrugated cardboard sheets 2, comprises a station for receiving sheet elements and discharging packages of sheet elements 3 The entire flexo printing part with in particular the various printing units 4 is shown partially in broken lines. The receiving station 3 is mounted downstream of the last printing unit of machine 1.

The station 3 comprises a frame 6 with vertical lateral uprights 7. The station 3 comprises an arrangement for supplying the sheets 8, mounted in part upper frame 6. The arrangement 8 includes in particular a suction to create a vacuum 9. The arrangement 8 further comprises transport belts 11 and a grid provided with longitudinal bars, the upper face of the sheets 2 being in contact with the transport belts 11. The sheets 2 which are printed arrive one after the other from upstream to downstream in a circulation plane, being drawn upstream of station 3 by rollers and a vacuum suction (not visible ), known as the ceiling, then they are released at arrangement 8.

The arrangement 8 comprises a leaf suppressor device 12 mounted on the grid to separate the leaves 2 from the transport belts 1 1 and drop them (see Fig. 2). The leaf collector device 12 includes, for example, a typical crank link mechanism 13 actuated sequentially according to the arrival of the leaves 2.

[0063] Station 3 comprises an output conveyor 14 in the form of a belt or several conveyor belts 15, transporting the final package from upstream of station 3 to the downstream output.

[0064] The station 3 comprises a lifting table 16 movable in the vertical direction. Table 16 includes several endless conveyor belts 17 extending in a longitudinal horizontal direction. The belts 17 are driven by a suitable motor and transport the final package 18 upstream to the output conveyor 14. The table 16 moves up and down being driven by a motor and chains 19.

The station 3 comprises a separator 21, which comprises several reception arms 22 extending in the longitudinal horizontal direction. The arms 22 are movable longitudinally from upstream to downstream and vice versa. Certain arms 22 may remain in the retracted position in the downstream position, this for example depending on the size of the sheets 2 constituting the package 18. The separator 21 goes up and down in the vertical direction, being driven by a motor and toothed belts. According to the invention, when the table 16 crosses the separator 21, the receiving arms 22 are inserted between the belts 17, without there being any interaction between the arm 22 and the belts 17 (see Fig. 3. ).

[0067] The method of receiving plate members 2 and discharging packets of plate members 18 for the packaging manufacturing machine is illustrated in Figs. 4 to 15.

In a first step of the process (Figs. 4 and 5), plate elements, in the form of sheets 2, arriving successively (Arrow F in Fig. 5) from the flexo printing part 4 of the flexo printing machine 1 are placed successively on the vertically movable table 16, so as to form a first packet of sheets 23.

In a second step of the process (Figs. 5 and 6), the table 16 with the successively deposited sheets is lowered vertically (Arrow DT in Fig. 5), to complete the formation of the first packet of sheets 23.

In a third step of the process (Figs. 5 and 6), the vertically movable separator 21 is entered (Arrow ES in Fig. 5), with several of its arms 22 being inserted above the table 16. In its starting standby position (see Fig. 5), the separator 21 with its arms 22 is positioned above the supply arrangement for the sheets 8 and the leaf collector device 12. In its functional arrival position (see Fig. 6), the separator 21 with its arms

22 is positioned above the first sheet pack 23 and under the sheet feed arrangement 8 and the sheet collector 12.

In a fourth step of the process (Figs. 6 to 14), the sheets 2 arriving successively (Arrow F in Figs. 6 and 7) from the flexo printing part 4 of the flexo printing machine 1 are deposited successively on the separator 21, and more precisely on its arms 22, so as to form a second packet of sheets 24.

In a fifth step of the process (Figs. 6 to 12), the first packet formed

23 is discharged horizontally (Arrows O in Figs. 6 to 12) out of the table 16. The endless conveyor belts 17 of the table 16 are driven from upstream to downstream. The conveyor belt or belts 15 of the output conveyor 14 are simultaneously driven from upstream to downstream. In a sixth step of the process (Figs. 7 to 9), the separator 21 with the successively deposited sheets is lowered vertically (DS arrow in Figs. 7 to 9) to complete the formation of the second packet of sheets 24.

In a seventh step of the process (Fig. 9), the table 16 is raised vertically (UT arrow in Fig. 9). Table 16 is empty and no longer carries a package.

In an eighth step of the method (Fig. 10), the table 16 rising vertically empty (UT) is crossed with the separator 21 descending vertically (DS). This crossing movement of the endless transport belts 17 of the table 16 with the arms 22 of the separator 21 makes it possible to recover the second package of sheets 24 from the separator 21 towards the table 16.

In a ninth step of the process (Figs. 1 1 and 12), the separator 21 is released (Arrow OS in Fig. 1 1) out of the displacement stroke of the table 16. The arms 22 of the separator 21 are moved horizontally from their upstream position crossed at the level of the table 16 (Fig. 10) to a downstream position located substantially above the output conveyor 14 (Fig. 12).

In another step of the process (Fig. 13), the separator 21 is raised vertically (US arrow in Fig. 13) to the horizontal level of the supply arrangement of the sheets 8 and the felling device. leaves 12.

In a last step of the process (Figs. 14 and 15), the separator 21 with its arms 22 is repositioned above the supply arrangement of the sheets 8 and the leaf collector device 12. The arms 22 of the separator 21 are moved (Arrow IS in Fig. 14) horizontally from their upstream position located substantially above the output conveyor 14 (Figs. 12 to 14) to an upstream standby position located substantially above the supply arrangement of the sheets 8 and of the leaf collector device 12 (Fig. 15). The upstream standby position (Fig. 15) is substantially similar to the starting position (Figs. 4 and 5).

The cycle can thus start again.

Claims

Claims [Claim 1] Station for receiving plate members and discharging packages of plate members for a packaging manufacturing machine, characterized in that it comprises: - a supply arrangement of the plate elements successively one after the other (8), - a lifting table (16), movable in a vertical direction, comprising several endless transport belts (17) extending in a longitudinal horizontal direction, to receive the plate elements in the form of a package, - an outlet conveyor (14), to remove the plate elements in the form of a package, and - a separator (21), movable in the vertical direction, comprising several receiving arms (22) extending in the longitudinal horizontal direction, to transiently receive the plate elements in the form of a package, the arms (22) being arranged so as to be able to cross in the vertical direction without interacting with the belts (17) of the table (16). [Claim 2] Station according to claim 1, characterized in that the arms (22) of the separator (21) are able to move in the longitudinal horizontal direction, from downstream to upstream, so as to position them above the table (16), and from upstream to the 'downstream, so as to retract them out of the travel of the table (16). [Claim 3] Station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the separator (21) comprises: - a support, slidably mounted in a vertical direction, - at least one arm, mounted so as to be able to move in the longitudinal horizontal direction relative to the support, the displacement of the arm modifying its length cantilevered with respect to the support on a first side in the longitudinal horizontal direction, and - A drive system for moving the arm in the longitudinal horizontal direction, configured to simultaneously drive the arm moving in the longitudinal horizontal direction and keep retracted another of the arms in its longitudinal position. [Claim 4] Station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the table (16) is movable between a high position under the feed arrangement (8) and a low position in a plane similar to the plane of the conveyor outlet (14). [Claim 5] Station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belts (17) of the table (16) are able to drive the package from upstream to downstream on the output conveyor (14) . [Claim 6] Station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output conveyor (14) comprises at least one belt capable of driving the package upstream from the table (16) downstream. . [Claim 7] Packaging manufacturing machine, characterized in that it comprises a station for receiving plate elements and discharging packages of plate elements (3) according to one of the preceding claims, installed at the downstream outlet of the machine (1). [Claim 8] A method of receiving plate elements for a packaging manufacturing machine (1), characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - successively depositing plate elements on a vertically movable table (16), so as to form a first package of plate elements (23); - lower the table (16) vertically with the plate elements deposited successively to complete the formation of the first package of plate elements (23); - bringing in a vertically movable separator (21) above the table (16); - successively place the plate elements on the separator (21), so as to form a second package of plate elements (24); - horizontally evacuating from the table (16) the first formed package (23); - vertically lower the separator (21) with the plate elements deposited successively to complete the formation of the second package of plate elements (24); - raise the table (16) vertically; - cross the table (16) rising vertically empty with the separator (21) descending vertically, so as to recover the second package of plate elements (24) from the separator (21) to the table (16); and - move the separator (21) out of the travel of the table (16). [Claim 9] A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the step of bringing in the separator (21) takes place in the longitudinal horizontal direction from downstream to upstream to above the plane of circulation of the elements. in plate, then in the vertical direction from the top of the circulation plane, towards the bottom of the circulation plane. [Claim 10] A method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the step of removing the separator (21) takes place in the longitudinal horizontal direction from upstream to downstream.