JP2019510707A - Method and apparatus for introducing a sheet for a machine for converting sheets of corrugated or micro-corrugated sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to a method for introducing sheet-like elements of corrugated board or micro corrugated board into a converting machine. According to the invention, during the deposition phase a bundle of sheet-like elements (32) is placed on the lift (31) and the lift carrying the bundle (32) gradually rises during the rising phase, the lifting phase A vacuum effect is applied to the top surface of the sheet-like elements (35) at the top of the bundle (32), and the lifted sheet-like elements (35) are conveyed to the conversion machine during the conveying phase. Optionally, the method can include non-stopping and non-stacking steps. The invention also relates to an introduction device (30) which makes it possible to carry out the method according to the invention and which comprises a lift (31), a vacuum transfer device (34) and a controller (33). The device (30) optionally comprises a non-stop device (45) and a non-stack device (50). The invention enables elements in the form of sheets of corrugated board or micro-corrugated board to be introduced without damaging the front edge or the surface of the board.

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of machines for converting board elements, and more particularly to a method of introducing corrugated board or micro-flute corrugated board elements and an apparatus for carrying out this process.

  Methods and apparatus are known for introducing the plate elements of the machine for converting the plates (hereinafter plates). Among the different machines, these plates with large dimensions are conveyed by stacking with a large height arranged on a pallet.

  The first category of these devices, called feeders, uses a bundle of plates whose lower plate is picked up by the transport device, for example as a suction plate, a belt or a vacuum roller. In order to take only one plate at a time, these devices are provided with a gauge which is adjusted with an experience value of about 1.5 times the height of the plate element to be taken.

  These devices are used in particular to introduce corrugated boards and have several drawbacks including the difficulty of adjusting the height of the gauges. If it is too high, there is a risk of having two release plates, which causes clogging downstream of the conversion machine, and if too low, there is the risk of the plates becoming clogged or significantly deteriorating. These disadvantages are more pronounced as the thickness of the plate is smaller.

  On the other hand, damage is often caused to the plate on which the gauge is introduced, in particular to the front edge thereof. Taking the plate from the bottom also means significant friction between the introduced plate and the next plate. For example, if the introduction is for a post-press processing machine such as, for example, a cutting machine, observe the markings on the board due to this friction which can degrade the printing formed on the board surface Things are not uncommon. A further disadvantage is that the plate introduction accuracy strongly depends on the bundle height.

  In order to overcome this problem and to keep the bundle height constant, it usually has a pre-introduction device called a pre-feeder, which extends from the stack and constitutes a net for loading a bundle of plate introduction devices. This device provides continuous feed even during stack changes. It also plays a role in discharging the last few boards of the damaged stack, in particular corrugated board, when transporting the stack. The creation of the net is also done using gauges which can potentially damage the board.

  A second category of devices, called mechanical feeders, allow the board to be taken at the top of the stack to avoid the damage caused by the feeder gauges. On the other hand, this kind of device can not provide both continuous feeding and discharging of the last plate of the stack damaged by transport, especially for corrugated boards. In addition, special pallets are needed to provide continuous feed.

  Thus, this device category is not actually used for corrugated boards, as no one would like to have a pallet that would be very variable in size to accommodate different board sizes.

  Thus, the prior art does not provide a method or apparatus for the introduction of plates which simultaneously allow the continuous feeding of the plates and the discharge at the bottom of each stack without risk of damaging the plates by different gauges.

  Furthermore, the state of the art of feeders is hardly suitable for ink jet printers. Indeed, for reliability and economic reasons, it is advantageous to have the smallest possible width, especially in the case of single pass machines. For this reason, in this type of machine, the board is placed for large format printing with a long side in the push direction. The advanced feeders and feeders according to the state of the art are thereby extremely long and it is difficult to install the machine in an existing plant.

  In the case of digital printing, it is possible that the edge of the plate does not deteriorate because defects on the edge cause the plate and the print head to come into contact with one another, which must be absolutely avoided in order to prevent damage to the print head. Very important.

  One object of the present invention is in particular to overcome all or part of these drawbacks of the prior art.

  More precisely, one of at least one object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for introducing a processing machine board which does not damage the ends or surfaces of the board either by means of a gauge or by excessive friction. It is. At least one of the modes for practicing the invention provides for the introduction of continuous feeding. At least one mode of practicing the invention allows the ejection of the plates located at the bottom of the stack.

  The device according to the invention may be used to introduce any plate type plate of any type of conventional conversion machine (e.g. flexographic printing, cutting), but the device according to the invention is for digital printers according to the method according to the invention Especially suitable for introducing corrugated board or micro flute corrugated board.

  All or part of these objectives, as well as others which appear more clearly below, are achieved according to the invention using a method of introducing corrugated board or micro-flute corrugated board elements in a converting machine, which method comprises The steps of depositing a bundle of plate elements on the lift, gradually raising the lift carrying the bundle, applying a vacuum to the upper surface of the plate element at the top of the bundle, converting the griped plate element And a transport process transported to the machine.

  In this way, corrugated board or micro flute corrugated board elements are introduced without deterioration of their front edge or surface.

  Preferably, at least the front of the gripped plate element is lifted during the gripping process.

  Therefore, the risk of transporting the second plate is limited by adhesion with the gripped plate.

  Advantageously, during the gripping step, the vacuum effect is applied to at least two separate zones on the top surface of the plate element above the bundle, the movement being made separately for each zone of application of the vacuum effect during the transport step. It is controlled.

  This embodiment makes it possible to correct possible positioning errors of the plate element during the transfer phase.

According to a particular embodiment, the method
Depositing the residual flux on a continuous device;
-Lowering the lift;
Depositing a second bundle on the lift;
Gradually raising the lift carrying the second bundle;
A bundle joining step in which residual bundles are deposited on top of the second bundle;
Gradually raising the lift carrying the combined bundle.

  Thus, this method makes it possible to introduce the board into the processing machine without the need for stopping to add a new bundle of boards.

  Optionally, the method comprises, in addition to the continuous process, a non-stacking process in which the second bundle is formed from a stack of plate elements.

  Thus, this method continuously introduces the plates from the large dimensioned stack where the last plate damaged by transport may be removed, without degrading its leading edge or surface. Make it possible.

  The invention is also an apparatus for introducing board elements for a corrugated board conversion machine, comprising a lift for receiving a bundle of board elements and applying the vacuum effect and conveying it to the conversion machine, the top of the bundle And a controller capable of controlling the operation of the lift and controlling the vacuum transfer device. Thus, this device enables the implementation of the introduction method according to the invention, allowing the plate element to be introduced without deterioration of its front edge or surface.

  Advantageously, the vacuum transfer device can lift at least the front of the top plate of the bundle and can control the plates to limit the risk of transporting the second plate adhering to the griped plate It can be advanced.

  Optionally, the vacuum transfer device comprises a vacuum box and a belt having an opening through which a vacuum effect can be applied to the top surface of the top plate of the bundle for the vacuum box to grip.

  Preferably, the introduction device comprises at least two vacuum transfer devices, each comprising a vacuum box and a belt having an opening through which the vacuum box can exert a vacuum effect on the zone of the upper surface of the plate. Thus, when the width is large, it becomes easier to grip the plate. Advantageously, the controller controls the movement of each belt of the vacuum transport separately and allows correction of positioning errors of the gripped plates during transport.

  Optionally, the introducing device comprises a continuous device capable of receiving the remaining bundle of plate elements until it merges with the new bundle of plate elements. Advantageously, such an introduction device with a continuous device further comprises a deposition table capable of receiving a bundle of plate elements to merge with the remaining bundle of plate elements.

  In this way, the introduction device makes it possible to introduce the plate into the processing machine without stopping when a new bundle of plates is supplied.

  Advantageously, the introduction device comprising the continuous device and the deposition table also comprises a non-stacking device capable of forming bundles from the stack of plate elements and depositing them on the deposition table, said non-stacking device comprising Advantageously, a separating device and a clamp capable of gripping the separated bundle by the separating device and depositing the bundle on a deposition table.

  Thus, the apparatus treats the plate continuously from the bottom of the large sized stack, which can discard the degraded plate during transport of the stack, without degrading its leading edge or surface. It is possible to introduce it into the machine.

  Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent on reading the specific embodiments which are purely illustrative and not limiting, and the following description given by the attached drawings. .

1 schematically represents a feeder and a pre-feeder according to the state of the art. 1 represents an introducer according to the invention. 1 represents an introducer according to the invention. 1 represents an introducer according to the invention. 1 represents an introducer according to the invention. 1 represents an introducer according to the invention. 1 represents an introducer according to the invention. 1 represents an introducer according to the invention. 3 represents an exemplary introducer according to the invention with an optional non-stacking device. Figure 2 shows details of the configuration of the selective non-stacking device. Figure 2 shows details of the configuration of the selective non-stacking device. Figure 2 shows details of the configuration of the selective non-stacking device.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a method and apparatus for introducing corrugated board or micro flute corrugated board elements according to the prior art. Conventionally, the feeder 10 comprises a gauge 11 enabling the transport device 12 to separate the plate elements 13 located at the bottom of the bundle 14 and to transport the plate elements 13 to a machine not shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the net 15 of plate elements frequently feeds the feeder 10 so that the level of the bundles 14 remains substantially constant. This net 15 is produced by a pre-feeder 20 comprising a gauge 21 and a conveying device 22. The pusher device 23 enables the stack 24 of plate elements to be divided into a series of bundles 25 which are fed to the pre-feeder.

  The gauges 11 and 21 are difficult to adjust, especially in the case of plate thicknesses thinner than 1.5 mm, and cause a lot of jamming. In addition, these gauges frequently degrade the leading edge of the plate element, which is the task of introducing the plate element in a digital printing machine. The pusher device 23 can also mark the trailing edge of the plate element or push the bundle diagonally.

  Figures 2 to 9 show an introducer device 30 according to the invention, comprising a lift 31 on which is placed a bundle 32 of plate elements, for example cardboard or micro-flute cardboard. The controller 33 normally controls the movement of the lift 31 so that the apex of the bundle 32 remains at a substantially constant level. The vacuum transfer device 34 lifts at least the front of the plate element 35 located at the top of the bundle 32 by applying a vacuum effect to the plate surface to controllably transfer the plate 35 to a conversion machine, not shown. FIG. 3 represents the plate element 35 at the end of the transfer phase.

  In the method of introducing the plate element according to the invention, the bundle 32 is deposited on the lift 31 whose lift is controlled, and during the gripping phase a vacuum effect is applied to the upper surface of the plate element 35 located at the top of the bundle 32. The added and gripped plate element 35 is transported during the transport phase. Preferably, the front of the plate element 35 is lifted during the gripping phase and the movement is controlled during the conveying phase.

  Thus, in the introduction method according to the invention, corrugated board or micro flute corrugated board elements are introduced into the processing machine after being bundled into bundles, each board being separated from the top of the bundle and not passing the gauge, and It is introduced without giving friction to the upper surface.

  The steps prior to stacking and bundling can be done in a variety of ways. This is an additional step on the conventional operation of mechanical feeders according to the prior art which directly uses the stack placed on the pallet. By using bundles in the introduction method, it is possible to supply the pallets together, to discard the last plate of the stack which breaks very often, and finally to reduce the height of the device. In fact, the stacks of board elements are of large dimensions and their direct use imposes either lifting the machine or lowering the feed of the stacks.

  The vacuum transport 34 can take many forms. The illustrated embodiment advantageously comprises two vacuum transfer devices 34 arranged on the support element 36, the offset of which can be adjusted to suit the width of the plate element. Optionally, each vacuum transfer device 34 can be individually controlled during the transfer phase to allow correction of possible positioning errors of the top plate 35 of the bundle 32.

  Advantageously, the vacuum transport device 34 comprises a vacuum box 37 and a belt 38 with an opening through which the vacuum box 37 can provide a vacuum effect on the surface of the plate 34 which is gripped and transported. The movement of the belt 38 makes it possible to transport the plate 34 after it has been gripped by applying a vacuum effect. FIG. 5 shows a particular embodiment in which the support element 36 is hollow so that it protects the device by housing and the vacuum effect can be transferred into the box 37 of both vacuum transport devices 34. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, two hoses 39 extend from the support device 36 and are connected to the openings provided on the side of the vacuum box 37 of the vacuum transfer device 34.

  FIG. 4 shows the time for the back end of the plate 35 introduced into the processing machine to reach under the vacuum transfer device 34. Advantageously, the introduction device 30 prevents immediately gripping the next plate 40 in order to limit the risk of clogging downstream of the processing machine. Different embodiments of this function may be considered depending on the type of substrate to be treated and the machine being fed.

  Thus, if the densely fed conversion machine immediately holds the plate 35 exiting the introducer 30, and if the plate is sufficiently rigid, the vacuum transport device 34 The movement of the belt 38 is stopped before the cover of the vacuum box 37 is peeled off by the rear. The introduced plate 35 is then transported by the processing machine, the latter sliding on the conveyor of the vacuum transport device 38. When the introduced plate 35 uncovers the vacuum box 37, the vacuum effect is applied to the next plate 40 without the next plate 40 being conveyed since the belt 38 of the vacuum transfer device 34 has not moved. .

  If the plate is more fragile, the vacuum effect can be switched off and the friction can be limited, in particular if the vacuum carrier 34 is provided with a belt 38 having a very strong coefficient of friction, or using the separating device 41. It is also possible, for example, to move the end of the plate 35 of the belt 38 by means of a movable shoe, which preferably has a very low coefficient of friction.

  The introducer shown in FIGS. 2-9 comprises a selective rear tremor 42 and a selective bearing 43. The rear fine adjustment device 42 enables the plate located at the top of the bundle 32 to be properly positioned relative to the bearing device 43. The bearing arrangement 43 is here in the form of a plate.

  When the plate is introduced by the introducer 30, the lift 31 raises the bundle 32. The lift of the lift 31 is controlled by a controller 33 shown schematically in FIG. 5, but the position within the introducer 30 is not important. Calculating the distance lifted at each plate if the plate thickness is sufficiently constant or estimated by the controller 33, for example by measurement or detection performed by a sensor located at the rear fine movement device 42 it can. The controller 33 is typically of the microprocessor or microcontroller type and also makes it possible to control the vacuum transfer device 34.

  The introduction device 30 according to the invention described so far is completely suitable for use in a continuous device, and FIGS. 2 to 9 show an exemplary introduction device 30 according to the invention equipped with a continuous device 45 which is particularly advantageous. Indicates

  The continuous device 46 comprises a grid 46 arranged outside the introduction device 30 when the continuous device 45 is not activated.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the lift 31 reaches a certain height, the grid 46 of the continuous device 45 is inserted into the introducer 30. In the illustrated example, the lifts 31 consist of rolls, and the grid 46 of the continuous device 45 is sandwiched between the rolls. At this stage, since the continuous device 45 has nothing to transport, the curvature of the grid 46 does not increase even if it is cantilevered at the time of insertion.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the grid 46 of the continuous device 45 abuts on both ends when the lift 31 descends again and supports the weight of the remaining bundle 32 without bending.

  The elevation of the grid 46 of the continuous device 45 is controlled by the controller 33 to allow the new bundle 47 to be placed on the lift 31 in order for the introducing device 30 to continue feeding the plate of the residual bundle 32 to the machine. Once the bundles 47 have been placed, the lift 31 is raised again and the remaining bundles 32 are brought together into a new bundle 47 until the new bundles 47 have already been removed in contact with the grid 46.

  Advantageously, the frame used to raise and lower the device 45 is one or more used to hold the leading edge of the last plate that makes up the residual bundle 32 when the grid 46 of the continuous device 45 is removed. Multiple support devices can be further mounted. These support devices may be passive devices as flexible hooks or brushes, or one or more active devices controlled by the control unit 33. Thus, the risk of interruption of the plate feed associated with the remaining bundle 32 joining the new bundle 47 is limited.

  In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the rolls of the lift 31 are frictionally driven. Therefore, the lift 31 can move the bundle 47 to the support device 43 without the need to motor-drive the roll of the lift 31. Alternatively, the lift roll can be motorized.

  Advantageously, the introduction device 30 with the continuous device 45 also comprises a deposition table 48 which makes it possible to easily place the new bundle 47 on the lift 31. Such an introduction plate 48 can optionally be provided with a control, for example for reading a mark, in order to confirm that the bundle 47 is effectively and properly oriented.

  The introducer 30 with the continuous device 45 can be sent bundles in a number of different ways, for example manually or by robot. FIGS. 9 to 12 schematically show a particularly advantageous non-stacking device 50 which makes it possible to form bundles from the stack 51 and to place them on the deposition table 48.

  Initially, a stack 51 of plate elements is introduced onto the table 52 by a conveyor not shown. The stacking height is usually 2 m, but all other stacking heights can be used as well.

  The exemplary non-stacking device 50 shown in FIGS. 9-12 includes two motorized side tremors 54, a motorized rear tremor 55, a fixed front tremor 56, a motorized fork 57 and a stacker 58. Including a clamp 53.

  Once the stack 51 is deposited on the table 52, the stack height is measured by a sensor (not shown). The controller then determines how many bundles of substantially similar size to create. The last plate of the bottom of the stack 51 is optionally discharged as it is considered damaged by the transport.

  The clamps 53 are lowered to the point where it is desired that the first bundle be made. The microtremors on the side 54 and the back 55 are tightened, and then the bundle separating device 58 separates the future bundles at the top of the stack 51. For example, the illustrated separation device 58 includes a piston pushing an inclined surface which lifts the front edge of the stack of plate elements. A fork 57 can be introduced under the bundle thus made. This system with a single centrally located separating device is particularly suitable as it can be adapted to different stacks of plate elements which are not necessarily planar and in some cases have a certain degree of warpage. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bundle separating device 58 is a subassembly of the clamp 53, but this separating device may be separate from the clamp 53.

  The bundle is then transported onto the deposition table 48 and then released onto the deposition table 48 by the clamp 53, which carries the bundle to the lift 31 when the lift 31 is lowered again, while being continuous Device 45 supports residual bundle 32.

Claims (14)

A method of introducing corrugated board or micro flute corrugated board elements in a converting machine,
Depositing a bundle (32) of plate elements on the lift (31);
Gradually raising the lift (31) carrying the bundle (32);
A gripping step for applying a vacuum effect to the upper surface of the plate element (35) at the top of the bundle (32);
A transfer step in which the plate element (35) which is gripped is transferred to the conversion machine.   The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the front part of at least the gripped plate element (35) is lifted during the gripping step. -During the gripping step, the vacuum effect is applied to at least two separate zones of the top surface of the plate element (35) on the bundle (32);
The introduction method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, during the transfer step, the movement is controlled separately for each application zone of the vacuum effect. Depositing the residual flux (32) on a continuous device;
-Lowering the lift (31);
Depositing a second bundle (47) on the lift (31);
Gradually raising the lift (31) carrying the second bundle (47);
A bundle joining step in which the residual bundle (32) is deposited on top of the second bundle (47);
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:-gradually raising the lift (31) carrying the merged bundle (32).   A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the second bundle (47) comprises a non-stacking step formed from a stack (51) of plate elements. An introduction device (30) of plate elements for a corrugated board conversion device,
A lift (31) for receiving a bundle (32) of plate elements;
-The vacuum transfer device (34) for gripping the plate element (35) located at the top of the bundle (32) by applying a vacuum effect and transferring it to the conversion machine;
A controller (33) for controlling the movement of the lift (31) and for controlling the vacuum transfer device (34).   The vacuum transfer device (34) can lift at least the front portion of the plate (35) at the top of the bundle (32) and can advance the plate (35) controllably. The board element introduction device (30) according to claim 6,   The vacuum transfer device (34) applies a vacuum effect to the upper surface of the top plate (35) of the bundle (32) for the vacuum box (37) and the vacuum box (37) to grip. The plate element introduction device (30) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises: a belt (38) having an opening through which the sheet can be cut.   At least two vacuum transfer devices comprising a vacuum box (37) and a belt (38) each having an opening through which the vacuum box (37) can apply a vacuum effect to the zone of the upper surface of the plate (35) A device for the introduction of plate elements (30) according to any of the claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it comprises (34).   A device (30) according to claim 9, characterized in that the controller (33) separately controls the movement of each belt (38) of the vacuum transport device (34).   11. A device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a continuous device (45) capable of receiving said residual bundle (32) of plate elements until it merges with a new bundle (47) of plate elements. A device for introducing plate elements according to claim 30 (30).   12. Introduction of a plate element according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a deposition table (48) capable of receiving a bundle (47) of plate elements in order to merge with said residual bundle (32) of plate elements. Device (30).   13. The plate element according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a non-stacking device (50) capable of forming bundles from stacks of plate elements (51) and depositing them on said deposition table (48). Introduction device (30).   The stacking device (50) may be capable of holding a bundle separating device (58), and a bundle separated by the separating device to deposit the bundle on the deposition table (48) and a clamp (53) A device for introducing plate elements (30) according to claim 13, characterized in that

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