System and method for varying a nip point

Abstract

A system for conveying sheets of corrugated paperboard material or other materials. The system includes a processing module configured for transferring the material in a conveying direction, the processing module having a first nip point. A conveyor is positioned downstream of the processing module and also configured for transferring the material in the conveying direction. The conveyor includes a first support roller and second support roller having a first conveyor belt wound therearound, with the belt defining a deflector section extending from the first support roller to the second support roller. Similar to the processing module, the conveyor includes a second nip point. An adjustment drive can be operatively associated with either or both of the first and second support rollers and configured to adjust the position of the second nip point in or counter to the delivery direction.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method for processing and conveying sheets, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for conveying sheets from a nip point of a rotary die drum to a nip point of a conveyor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Various conveyance and processing devices are commonly used to transport and process blanks or stock material from a feed conveyor, through an assembly line or process. For example, in the production of packaging, webs of cardboard, paperboard, or corrugated material are moved through a rotary press or die drum to convert the web into individual blanks or sheets. In other instances, individual blanks or sheets move through various processing stations to have different functions performed on them, such as printing, cutting, etc. Individual sheets may be transferred from a die drum to a conveyor.[0003]In traditional systems, to maintain control of the sheets during transfer from a die dr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present patent relates to a system and method for conveying material. The system includes a processing module and a conveyor, which work together to transfer the material in a conveying direction. The processing module has a first nip point, while the conveyor has a first and second support rollers with a conveyor belt in between, which has a deflector section. The conveyor also has a second nip point. The method involves passing a first sheet of material through the processing module and then transporting it to the conveyor, where the first sheet is then transferred to a second sheet of material that has a different length. The gap distance between the first and second nip points is adjusted to match the length of the second sheet. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a system and method for conveying material that allows for precise control over the gap distance, which can improve the quality and efficiency of the material transfer process."

Problems solved by technology

Such nipping of an individual sheet in two areas along its length simultaneously is undesirable.

For example, if the speed of the die drum differs from that of the takeaway conveyor, portions of the sheets may be subjected to forces that result in damage to the sheets (e.g., skewing, marking, tearing).

These forces, which may result in the slippage of a nip point over the material being transported and processed, can cause other damage as well, such as smearing of or damage to printing.

However, such configuration leaves at least one of the support rollers exposed outside the conveyor belt and accessible by incoming sheets.

Accordingly, as a sheet approaches the front edge of the takeaway conveyor, it can be undesirably deflected toward and / or into the exposed roller, causing damage to the sheet and / or requiring stoppage of the conveyor for correction.

However, this deflector plate does not extend across very much of the front edge of the takeaway conveyor and thus does not entirely cover the area in which the exposed support roller is positioned.

As such, there still exists the potential for undesirable deflection of the sheets toward and / or into the exposed roller, causing damage to the sheet and / or requiring stoppage of the conveyor for correction.

Furthermore, having a deflector plate causes friction between the plate and the sheets, and can damage the sheets and any ink or markings on them.

However, this configuration allows for minimal control over the sheets, and it is not able to deflect sheets under the rollers.

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