Device for storing stacks of sheets in a converting machine and converting machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for storing stacks of sheet material in a conversion machine (10), the device (20) comprising a conveying mechanism (28) for conveying sheets (22) to a stacking area (26) of the device (20) and a sampling plate (44) adjustable between a sampling position and an access position, wherein when the sampling plate (44) is in the sampling position, the top of the stacking area (26) is covered by the sampling plate (44), and when the sampling plate (44) is in the access position, the top of the stacking area (26) is free, and wherein the sampling plate (44) in the access position at least partially extends outside the housing (40) of the device (20). Furthermore, the invention describes a conversion machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for storing stacks of sheet material in a converting machine and to a converting machine. Background Art

[0002] Converting machines are used in the packaging industry to convert raw materials, usually in sheet form, such as cardboard, paper or foil, into intermediate or finished products. The converting operations can be printing, cutting, creasing, punching and / or folding and gluing. Therefore, the term converting machine also refers here to sheet processing machines in general. After conversion in a designated stacking area of ​​the converting machine, the sheets can be collected in a vertical pile.

[0003] In order to control the quality of the produced sheets, it is necessary to take sample sheets regularly during the operation of the converting machine. For this purpose, the converting machine may have a mechanism for temporarily creating access to the stacking area so that an operator can manually pick a sample sheet from the produced stack of sheets. However, in order to ensure controlled and safe access for the operator, known mechanisms require redundant safety systems, which limit the space available to the operator and / or require the converting machine to stop sheet production for a long time. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that allows easier collection of sample sheets in a converting machine. Preferably, the device allows reducing downtime of the converting machine.

[0005] The objects of the invention are solved by a device for storing stacks of sheet material in a converting machine, wherein the device comprises a conveying mechanism for conveying the sheets to a stacking area of ​​the device, and a sampling plate adjustable between a sampling position and an access position, wherein the top of the stacking area is covered by the sampling plate when the sampling plate is in the sampling position and the top of the stacking area is free when the sampling plate is in the access position.

[0006] “The stacking area is covered” means here that the sampling plate is arranged above the stacking area so that the sheets conveyed by the conveying mechanism can no longer reach the stacking area but are collected by the sampling plate.

[0007] The sampling plate in particular completely covers the top of the stacking area.

[0008] The sheet material is subjected to one or more converting operations of the converting machine, such as printing, cutting, creasing, punching and / or folding bonding, and is transported by the converting machine to the stacking area via a conveying mechanism.

[0009] The transport mechanism may be the same transport mechanism used throughout the converter, or connected to an additional converter transport mechanism.

[0010] During operation of the converting machine, the sheets are deposited in vertical piles in the stacking area of ​​the machine as long as the sampling plate is in the access position. If the sampling plate is in the sampling position, the sheets produced by the converting machine are collected on the sampling plate instead.

[0011] Preferably, in the sampling position, the sampling plate is parallel to the sheets in the stack so that other sheets produced by the converting machine can be placed on the sampling plate in the same manner as they are stacked on the stack.

[0012] The sheets may be made of cardboard, paper, foil or a composite material.

[0013] The device according to the invention allows to collect sample sheets in a simple manner by adjusting the position of the sampling plate.At least one sample sheet on the sampling plate can then be collected and its quality checked.

[0014] Preferably, when the sampling plate is in the access position and the converting machine is in an operating mode (ie, processing sheets), an operator can reach the sampling plate to collect the sheets. In this way, downtime of the converting machine is reduced.

[0015] The sampling plate may be adjusted from the access position to the sampling position manually and / or by a drive.

[0016] In one variation, the sampling plate extends at least partially outside the housing of the device when in the access position.

[0017] The housing of the device may also be the housing of a converter.

[0018] In other words, the sampling plate preferably extends at least partially outside of the converting machine to allow an operator to easily pick up sheets collected by the sampling plate without having to access internal components of the converting machine.

[0019] In another variant, the sampling plate is detachably engaged with the opening of the housing. In this way, the sampling plate can be inserted into the device only when needed (i.e. when the sheet material needs to be collected).

[0020] The sampling plate may have a folded edge to flip over the portion of the sampling plate extending from the housing. This allows for more compact storage of the sampling plate when the collection sheet is not required.

[0021] In another variant, the sampling plate comprises a plurality of sections that can be at least partially folded over each other. This allows non-linear movement of the sampling plate when adjusting between the sampling position and the access position.

[0022] The device preferably comprises a guide rail which extends at least partially along a lateral boundary of the stacking area and along which the sampling plate is moved when adjusting between the access position and the sampling position.

[0023] At least the section of the guide rail extending along the side border of the stacking area can be parallel to the sheets of the sheet stack.

[0024] The guide rails ensure controlled movement of the sampling plate when it is adjusted into the sampling position.

[0025] Preferably, the device comprises two guide rails located at opposite side boundaries of the stacking area. In this way, the movement of the sampling plate is further ensured and displacement and tilting of the sampling plate are prevented.

[0026] The guide rail or rails extend in particular from the housing of the device over the entire length of the respective side boundary of the stacking area.

[0027] Preferably, the apparatus comprises a jogger arranged between the sampling plate and a front boundary of the stacking area when the sampling plate is in the access position.

[0028] The jogger is used to align the sheets in the stack of sheets when the sheets in the stack are being conveyed by the conveyor and / or have been conveyed by the conveyor and / or after. To this end, the jogger can be tilted back and forth toward and away from the front boundary of the stacking area, so that the sheets in the stacking area are aligned with each other.

[0029] In particular, the front boundary of the stacking region is perpendicular to the side boundaries of the stacking region.

[0030] In particular, the jogger extends over the entire length of the front boundary of the stacking area.

[0031] Further, the apparatus may include at least one side jogger arranged at a side boundary of the stacking area.

[0032] When the sheets in the sheet stack are being transmitted by the conveying mechanism and / or have been transmitted by the conveying mechanism and / or afterwards, the side jogger is also used to align the sheets in the sheet stack. For this reason, the side jogger can tilt back and forth towards and away from the side boundary of the stacking area.

[0033] The device may comprise a plurality of side joggers, in particular at least one side jogger at both side boundaries of the stacking area.

[0034] The side jogger can extend over the entire length of the side border of the stacking area.

[0035] In one embodiment, the jogger and / or at least one lateral jogger can be adjusted between a working position and a cleaning position by a drive element, wherein the sampling plate can only be adjusted to the sampling position when the jogger and / or at least one lateral jogger is in the cleaning position.

[0036] In this embodiment, there is no need to mount the joggers and / or lateral joggers so that they are always below or above the level at which the sampling plate is moved over the stacking area. This allows the necessary dimensions of the device to be reduced.

[0037] At the same time, a jogger and / or a side jogger prevents the sample plates from accidentally blocking the stacking area.

[0038] The drive element may include a piston that may be driven electrically, pneumatically and / or hydraulically.

[0039] The apparatus may comprise a sensor adapted to monitor the position of the sampling plate.

[0040] The sensor is located in particular between the housing of the device and the stacking area, preferably between the housing of the device and the jogger.

[0041] The sensor allows to determine whether the sampling plate has moved out of the access position. In this case, the jogger and / or one or more lateral joggers can be automatically adjusted to the cleaning position.

[0042] The sensor may be a light barrier.

[0043] The objects of the invention are also solved by a conversion machine comprising a device as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of the invention and from the accompanying drawings, which show non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0045] - Figure 1 A schematic conversion machine comprising a device according to the invention is shown;

[0046] - Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 a perspective view of parts of the apparatus with the sampling plate in the access position;

[0047] - Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the jogger of the apparatus;

[0048] - Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the side jogger of the apparatus;

[0049] - Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 Cross section of detail of the side jogger;

[0050] - Figure 6 Shows Figure 2 a perspective view of a cross section of the device along plane AA, with the sampling plate in the access position; and

[0051] - Figure 7 Shows Figure 2 Perspective view of a cross section of the device along plane AA, with the sampling plate in the sampling position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figure 1 A conversion machine 10 according to the invention is shown. The conversion machine 10 consists of a plurality of modules, which are arranged one after the other. In the embodiment shown, the conversion machine 10 comprises a loading station 12, a feeder 14, a conversion station 16, a discharge station 18 and an apparatus 20 according to the invention.

[0053] The converting machine 10 has a direction of travel R defined by the direction in which the sheets are processed.

[0054] The loading station 12 is used to supply raw sheets to be processed to the converting machine 10. The raw sheets may be made of carton, paper or plastic.

[0055] Individual raw sheets are removed from the loading station 12 by a feeder 14 and fed into a conversion station 16 .

[0056] The conversion station 16 may be a cutting station, an embossing station or a punching station. In the illustrated embodiment, the conversion machine comprises a flatbed press 24. In the conversion station 16, the original sheet is converted into a sheet 22.

[0057] The discharge station 18 is used to transfer the sheets 22 from the conversion station 16 to the stacking area 26 of the apparatus 20. The discharge station 18 can also be used to ensure the proper alignment of the sheets 22.

[0058] The sheets 22 are moved in the travel direction R by a transport mechanism 28 . The transport mechanism 28 is adapted to transport each single sheet 22 individually from the feeder 14 to the apparatus 20 .

[0059] The transport mechanism 28 includes a plurality of gripper bars 30 which in turn grip the sheet 22 at its leading edge and pull the sheet 22 through the stations of the converting machine 10 .

[0060] The gripper bar 30 is connected to a chain 32 that moves in a closed loop. The chain 32 moves in a stepwise manner, whereby the sheet 22 moves to the next station of the converting machine 10 with each step.

[0061] In the apparatus 20 , the sheets 22 are released from the transport mechanism 28 to form a sheet stack in the stacking area 26 , for example on a tray 34 .

[0062] Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, only a single transport mechanism 28 is used for all modules of the conversion machine 10, including the device 20. Typically, the device 20 may include its own transport mechanism 28 that is connected to another conversion machine transport mechanism.

[0063] At the front border 36 of the stacking area 26, a jogger 38 is arranged. The jogger 38 serves to align the processed sheets 22 in the stacking area 26 along the travel direction R. This is done by the jogger 38 providing a flat surface against which the sheets 22 can be pushed when they are transported to the stacking area 26 by the transport mechanism 28.

[0064] Furthermore, the apparatus 20 includes a rear jogger 39 disposed at the rear side of the stacking area 26 opposite to the front side of the stacking area 26. Therefore, the rear jogger 39 is disposed opposite to the jogger 38.

[0065] Additionally, the jogger 38 may be tilted back and forth to align the sheets 22 in the stacking area 26 .

[0066] The device 20 comprises a housing 40 which, in the embodiment shown, is also part of the housing of the conversion machine 10 .

[0067] The housing 40 includes a window 42 so that an operator of the converting machine 10 can see into the converting machine 10 , particularly the sheets 22 in the stacking area 26 .

[0068] The housing 40 also has an opening 43 through which the sampling plate 44 partially extends outward from the housing 40. The sampling plate 44 also includes a handle 45 that an operator can use to adjust the position of the sampling plate 44.

[0069] In addition, the device 20 has a display unit 46 with a display 48 and a control element 50. The display 48 can also be a touch-sensitive display. In this case, the control element 50 can be integrated into the display 48. The operator can use the display unit 46 to control the device 20, preferably all modules of the conversion machine 10.

[0070] Figure 2 A perspective view of parts of the device 20 is shown.

[0071] The jogger 38 and the rear jogger 39 extend substantially over the entire length of the front and rear surfaces of the stacking region 26 , respectively.

[0072] from Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 2 , in addition to the jogger 38 and the rear jogger 39, the apparatus 20 further includes two side joggers 52. The side joggers 52 are disposed on the side surfaces of the stacking area 26, wherein each of the two side joggers 52 is disposed opposite to each other at opposite side surfaces of the stacking area 26.

[0073] The device 20 further comprises two guide rails 54, each of which extends along one of the lateral boundaries of the stacking area 26. The guide rails 54 also extend partly to the outside of the housing 40.

[0074] The sampling plate 44 is disposed on the guide rail 54 .

[0075] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the access position, the sampling plate 44 is in the access position. In the access position, the top of the stacking area 26 is free, so that the sheet 22 can be transferred to the stacking area 26 by the transfer mechanism 28 to form a sheet stack.

[0076] In addition, the jogger 38 is arranged at a certain height so that the sampling plate 44 cannot slide along the guide rails 54 on the stacking area 26, that is, the jogger 38 blocks the movement of the sampling plate 44. This position of the jogger 38 is called the working position.

[0077] The device 20 also includes a sensor 55 that can detect the position of the sampling plate 44. The sensor 55 can be a light barrier.

[0078] Figure 3 A perspective view of the jogger 38 is shown in more detail. Figure 3 As indicated by the double arrow J in the middle, the jogger 38 can be moved back and forth toward and away from the stacking area 26 .

[0079] In addition, the jogger 38 may be Figure 3 The paper jogger 38 moves up and down as shown by the double arrow K in the middle to switch from the working position to the sampling position where the paper jogger 38 no longer blocks the sampling plate 44 from moving along the guide rail 54.

[0080] The jogger 38 can be moved in directions J and K by a drive element 56 , which is a cylinder with an electrically driven piston. The jogger 38 can also have separate drive elements 56 for the respective movements in directions J and K.

[0081] Figure 4 A side jogger 52 is shown in more detail. The side jogger 52 can move laterally in the direction indicated by the double arrow L, and can move up and down in the direction indicated by the double arrow M.

[0082] Figure 5 Shown along Figure 4 A cross section of the center of the lateral jogger 52 in the extending direction.

[0083] The drive element 56 of the side jogger 52 includes two cylinders 58 and 60, one having a piston 62 that moves in the direction L, and the second having a piston 64 that moves in the direction M. The pistons 62, 64 can be driven electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically. Different drive mechanisms can also be used for the pistons 62, 64.

[0084] The lateral jogger 52 can also be adjusted to a working position and a sampling position. In the working position, the movement of the sampling plate 44 along the guide rail 54 is blocked by the lateral jogger 52. In the sampling position, the lateral jogger 52 no longer blocks the movement of the sampling plate 38 along the guide rail 54.

[0085] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 6 and Figure 7 describing the operating mode of the device 20, Figure 6 and Figure 7 Shown along Figure 2 Perspective view of a cross section of plane AA shown in .

[0086] During default operation of the converting machine 10 , the sheets 22 will be processed and conveyed to the stacking area 26 by the conveyor mechanism 28 .

[0087] The jogger 38 , the rear jogger 39 , and the side jogger 52 are used to align the sheets 22 conveyed to the stacking area 26 .

[0088] The sampling plate 44 is in an access position in which it partially extends outwardly from the housing 40. Thus, the sampling plate 44 is out of the path of the sheets 22 toward the stacking area 26.

[0089] The operator of the converting machine 10 can observe the sheets 22 reaching the stacking area 26 through the window 42. If the operator decides to take a sample sheet, for example to check the quality of the processed sheet 22, he can start the sampling procedure by pressing a sampling button as one of the control elements 50 of the display unit 46.

[0090] This stops the conveyor mechanism 28 from conveying new sheets 22 to the stacking area 26 for a preselected period of time t1 (eg, 1 to 3 seconds).

[0091] Furthermore, by means of their respective drive elements 56 , the jogger 38 and the side jogger 52 are moved downwards to their sampling positions so that the guide rail 54 is no longer blocked.

[0092] The display unit 46 then signals the operator that the sampling plate 44 can be moved to the sampling position. This signal can be given visually on the display 48 or acoustically via a speaker (not shown).

[0093] The operator can then push the sampling plate 44 through the opening 43 by means of the handle 45 until the sampling plate 44 covers the stacking area 26 (eg, Figure 7 The sampling plate 44 can also be moved by a drive (not shown).

[0094] Alternatively, the jogger 38 and the side jogger 52 may also automatically change to their respective sampling positions once the sensor 55 detects that the sampling plate 44 has moved out of its access position.

[0095] After the time period t1 , the conveying mechanism 28 delivers a predetermined number of sheets 22 into the device 20 . Since the stacking area 26 is now covered by the sampling plate 44 , these sheets 22 are collected on the sampling plate 44 .

[0096] The number of sheets 22 can be a set number based on the desired number of sample sheets and / or the total height of the sample sheets collected on the sampling plate. The predetermined number of sheets 22 can also be manually input or adjusted by the operator using the display unit 46.

[0097] The number of sheets 22 must be small enough to allow the sampling plate 44 and the collected sample sheets to move through the opening 43.

[0098] After a predetermined number of sample sheets have been collected, the conveying mechanism 28 stops conveying the sheets 22 again for a predetermined period of time t2.

[0099] The time periods t1 and t2 may have the same length or different lengths and may be adjusted and / or selected independently of one another by an operator.

[0100] During time period t2 , the operator may move sampling plate 44 back to the access position to remove the collected sample sheet from housing 40 .

[0101] After the time period t2 , the jogger 38 and the side jogger 52 move back to their working positions, and the transport mechanism 28 starts transporting the processed sheets 22 to the stacking area 26 again.

[0102] When the converting machine starts running again, the operator can easily pick up the sample sheet from the sampling plate 44 outside the housing 40.

[0103] Thus, the apparatus 20 allows for reduced downtime of the converting machine 10 and provides an easier way to collect sample sheets.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing stacks of sheets in a converting machine (10), wherein the apparatus (20) comprises: a conveying mechanism (28) for conveying the sheets (22) into a stacking area (26) of the apparatus (20), and a sampling plate (44) adjustable between a sampling position and an access position, wherein, when the sampling plate (44) is in the sampling position, the top of the stacking area (26) is covered by the sampling plate (44), and when the sampling plate (44) is in the access position, the top of the stacking area (26) is free, and The sampling plate (44) at least partially extends outside the housing (40) of the device (20) when in the access position.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (20) comprises a guide rail (54) extending at least partially along a side boundary of the stacking area (26), and the sampling plate (44) moves along the guide rail (54) when being adjusted between the access position and the sampling position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus (20) comprises a jogger (38) which is arranged between the sampling plate (44) and a front boundary of the stacking area (26) when the sampling plate (44) is in the access position.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the jogger (38) can be adjusted between a working position and a cleaning position by a driving element (56), wherein the sampling plate (44) can be adjusted to the sampling position only when the jogger (38) is in the cleaning position.

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device (20) comprises at least one lateral jogger (52) arranged at a lateral boundary of the stacking area (26).

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least one lateral jogger (52) can be adjusted between a working position and a cleaning position by a drive element (56), wherein the sampling plate (44) can be adjusted to the sampling position only when the at least one lateral jogger (52) is in the cleaning position.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus (20) comprises at least one lateral jogger (52) arranged at a lateral boundary of the stacking area (26).

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the jogger (38) and / or the at least one lateral jogger (52) can be adjusted between a working position and a cleaning position by a drive element (56), wherein the sampling plate (44) can be adjusted to the sampling position only when the jogger (38) and / or the at least one lateral jogger (52) is in the cleaning position.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus (20) comprises a sensor (55) adapted to monitor the position of the sampling plate (44).

10. A conversion machine comprising a device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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