Vacuum cutting conveyor for automatic blade cutting machine of sheet material

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cutting conveyor for an automatic blade cutting machine of sheet material, comprising a plurality of cutting supports (14) rigidly connected to a driving mechanism driven along a rectilinear and curvilinear trajectory, each of the cutting supports comprising a plurality of bristles (16), each of the bristles comprising a foot (16a) rigidly connected to a bottom (18) and a head (16b) opposite the foot for placing the sheet material to be cut, the bottom of each cutting support being elastically deformable along the trajectory of the driving mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cutting conveyor for an automatic blade cutter, which uses a vibrating blade to penetrate a cutting support for sheet materials, particularly textile materials. Background Technology

[0002] One area of ​​this invention application is the automatic cutting of sheet-like materials, especially textile materials, in the form of vibrating blades penetrating and cutting supports.

[0003] Typically, cutting machines with vibrating blades include a cutting conveyor, which drives the stack of sheets during the cutting operation. This cutting conveyor is housed in a box with a strong vacuum environment created inside to hold the sheet material to be cut in place during the cutting operation.

[0004] In this type of machine, the cutting conveyor can also serve as a penetrating cutting support for the vibrating blade. In fact, it is well known that the cutting support is made to be penetrated by the blade so that during the cutting operation, the blade can not only completely penetrate the material to be cut, but also extend downward beyond the support surface and into a bed of materials with such a surface.

[0005] Therefore, such as Figure 1 As exemplarily shown, the conveyor 1 generally includes multiple cutting supports 2, each of which is rigidly connected to the belt 3 that drives the conveyor. At each end of the worktable, the conveyor also includes a sprocket 5 that drives the belt 3 along straight and curved trajectories centered on a horizontal axis 4.

[0006] Furthermore, each cutting support 2 includes multiple bristles 6 mounted on the bottom 7, which simultaneously form multiple rows of parallel bristles. Each bristle has a head that supports the sheet material to be cut. Channels through the bottom allow intake air to pass through. Therefore, these cutting supports can support the material to be cut under vacuum and can also be penetrated by the cutting blade.

[0007] However, this type of component has significant drawbacks when the conveyor at the end of the worktable rotates. In fact, as... Figure 1 As shown, when the supports at the end of the worktable rotate (reversing their direction), the latter rotate around the sprocket 5 and tend to open (i.e., separate from each other).

[0008] On the one hand, the rotation of the cutting support forces the discharge spring 8 at the end of the cutting surface to be located at a height h above the cutting surface. However, this height difference is harmful to the user of the cutting machine because when the cutting pad M passes through, the material can be stretched and deformed, thus affecting the cutting disc at that end or during the loading of the pad (on the opposite side of unloading), the material is stretched and then compressed in the vacuum stage, thus generating stress in the material, which will reduce the quality of the cutting disc.

[0009] On the other hand, the discharge spring 8 must be positioned vertically offset relative to the horizontal axis 4 to drive the conveyor sprocket 5, thereby preventing separation of the opening area between the cutting supports at the brush head. If the brush does not prevent this, material may fall into this opening area. This constraint requires the long brush to be in a vacuum state and sized accordingly. Depending on the width of the cutting support, the distance between the driver and the head of the cutting support, and the connection between the cutting support and the driver, the effective cutting length may be reduced to avoid this area. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a cutting support that does not have the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0011] This objective is achieved by providing a vacuum cutting conveyor for an automatic blade cutting machine for sheet materials. The vacuum cutting conveyor includes: a plurality of cutting supports rigidly connected to a drive mechanism driven along straight and curved trajectories; each cutting support includes a plurality of bristles, each bristle including a foot rigidly connected to a bottom and a head opposite the foot for placing the sheet material to be cut; wherein, in this invention, the bottom of each cutting support can elastically deform along the trajectory of the drive mechanism.

[0012] Here, "capable of elastic deformation" refers to the inherent characteristics of the bottom of the cut support, which endow it with the property of deforming within the elastic range, that is, a reversible deformation that does not creep, through which the bottom returns to its original shape after the stress is released.

[0013] Notably, each cutting support has a bottom that is laterally curved, allowing it to deform along the trajectory of the drive mechanism, particularly during the rotation of the conveyor at the upstream and downstream ends of the worktable to the reverse direction. It is also noteworthy that the plane of the drive mechanism of the cutting support lies on the plane of the bottom of the cutting support.

[0014] In this way, the gaps between the cutting supports are reduced, allowing for a further expansion of the cutting surface within the same conveyor size. Furthermore, the cutting supports, especially their respective bottoms, deform but do not rotate, allowing for lower brushes or rakes at the upstream and downstream ends of the cutting surface. Therefore, it is possible to avoid material deformation due to tension and all the problems that arise from it.

[0015] Each cutting support may have multiple parallel geometries at its base, extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the drive mechanism, to allow for elastic deformation along the trajectory of the drive mechanism. These shapes enable the base to be flexible while still maintaining the bristles perpendicular to the tangent of the base, even during operation.

[0016] In this configuration, the geometry of the bottom of the cutting support consists of a plurality of parallel slots. These slots may include external slots protruding outwards relative to the outer surface of the bottom and / or internal slots protruding inwards relative to the inner surface of the bottom. The slots may include alternating external and internal slots to form an accordion shape. The slots may have rectangular, square, or circular cross-sections.

[0017] The bottom of each cutting support can be made of plastic material that is compatible with the deformation that occurs during operation.

[0018] Each cutting support can be mounted on the drive mechanism via at least one fastening strip at its respective bottom.

[0019] In this configuration, each cutting support can be mounted on the drive mechanism via at least two longitudinally spaced fastening strips. At least one of these fastening strips can engage with two adjacent cutting supports.

[0020] Preferably, the conveyor further includes a device for cleaning the cutting support using air. The air cleaning device includes an air nozzle and a dust collector.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic blade cutting machine for sheet materials, including the conveyor described above. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 (As already described) is an example diagram seen from one end of a cutting table in the prior art.

[0023] Figure 2 This image shows one end of a vacuum cutting conveyor equipped with multiple cutting supports according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 2The enlarged image shows more precise details. Figure 2 The cutting support component at the discharge spring on the cutting surface.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The enlarged image shows more precise details. Figure 2 The shape of the bottom of the cutting support component.

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A partial perspective view of the cut support component.

[0027] Figure 6 The deformation of the bottom of the cutting support according to a variant embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example. Detailed Implementation

[0028] This invention relates to a cutting support for a vacuum cutting conveyor in an automatic blade cutting machine for sheet materials, for example, Figure 2 Conveyor 10 is shown in part.

[0029] In known methods, this type of cutting conveyor 10 is used to drive a stack of sheets during a cutting operation. The cutting conveyor 10 is typically housed in a box 12, inside which a strong vacuum environment is created to hold the sheet material to be cut in place during the cutting operation.

[0030] Furthermore, the cutting conveyor can also serve as a penetrating cutting support for the vibrating blade. In fact, it is well known that the cutting support can be penetrated by the blade so that during the cutting operation, the blade can not only completely penetrate the material to be cut, but also extend downward beyond the support surface and into a bed of materials with such a surface.

[0031] The cutting conveyor 10 typically includes multiple cutting supports 14. Each cutting support includes multiple bristles 16, each bristle having a foot 16a disposed on a bottom 18 and forming multiple rows of parallel bristles, and a head 16b opposite the foot for placing the sheet material to be cut.

[0032] The cutting support 14 is mounted on a drive belt 20 at its respective bottom, which is driven at both ends of the worktable by sprockets 24 centered on a horizontal axis 22. Therefore, the drive belt 20 is driven along a straight line (between the two ends of the cutting table) and a curve (in opposite directions at each end of the cutting table).

[0033] Of course, the drive belt can be replaced by a chain, toothed belt, or any other transmission mechanism.

[0034] Furthermore, in known methods, a transverse channel 25 is provided by cutting the bottom of the support member so that the intake air passes through the bottom ( Figure 4).

[0035] Therefore, the cutting support allows the material to be cut to be supported under vacuum and can be penetrated by the cutting blade. They define the cutting surface S of the cutting machine.

[0036] Furthermore, at the longitudinal end of the cutting surface S (relative to the direction of travel T of the cutting conveyor), the cutting table includes multiple discharge springs 26, which are typically raised relative to the cutting surface (see...). Figure 1 (Previous technology). These discharge springs 26 extend across the entire width of the cut surface, thus helping to discharge material from the cut surface.

[0037] Similarly, at the opposite longitudinal end of the cutting surface S, the cutting table also includes multiple material-carrying springs (not shown in the figure), which are typically raised relative to the cutting surface and can help load material onto the cutting surface.

[0038] According to the present invention, the bottom 18 of the bristles 16, which are equipped with different cutting supports, can undergo elastic deformation along the trajectory of the drive belt 20.

[0039] Here, "capable of elastic deformation" means that the bottom of the cutting support has inherent characteristics that give it the property of elastic deformation.

[0040] Several embodiments can be envisioned to achieve this inherent characteristic of the bottom of the cutting support.

[0041] Therefore, in Figures 3 to 5 In one embodiment, the bottom 18 of each cutting support has a plurality of parallel geometries that extend in a direction perpendicular to the forward direction of the drive belt to allow elastic deformation along the trajectory of the drive belt.

[0042] More precisely, the geometry of the bottom of the cutting support consists of multiple parallel slots (or folds) extending laterally (i.e., extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction T of the cutting conveyor's advance).

[0043] More precisely, the slot includes an outer slot 28a that protrudes outward from the bottom and an inner slot 28b that protrudes into the cutting support.

[0044] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 and 5 As shown, the slots 28a and 28b are arranged alternately, so that the bottom forms an accordion shape, giving it plastic deformation properties.

[0045] The slots 28a and 28b present in the accordion shape allow the bottom of the cutting support according to this application to undergo elastic deformation when it bends along the forward direction T of the cutting conveyor.

[0046] In this embodiment, the slot has a rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the rectangular cross-section may be square or circular.

[0047] Similarly, the slit at the bottom can protrude only on one of the two sides of the bottom (i.e., only from the bottom outward or inward).

[0048] In this embodiment, elastic deformation may occur due to the specific shape of the bottom. Therefore, on the one hand, it can avoid excessively large openings between adjacent cutting supports, and on the other hand, it can limit or reduce the height of the discharge spring 26 relative to the cutting surface S to 0.

[0049] In another particular aspect of the invention Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the bottom 18' of the cutting support has inherent properties due to its composition, which give it the property of elastic deformation.

[0050] In fact, in this embodiment, the bottom 18' is formed of a plastic material that allows for elastic deformation along the trajectory of the drive mechanism (in... Figure 6 (In the middle, the bottom 18' is in a deformed state).

[0051] For example, plastic materials can be selected from polyamides or polypropylenes.

[0052] More accurately, Figure 6 Modular element 36 for cutting support members is shown, as described in the applicant’s patent application FR 20 / 03043 filed on March 27, 2020.

[0053] The modular element 36 includes multiple bristles 16' arranged in the same line, each with its foot rigidly connected to a flexible, deformable base 18' made of plastic material.

[0054] In this embodiment, the bottom 18' includes a plurality of lateral channels 25' for allowing inhaled air to pass through.

[0055] In another embodiment (not shown in the figures), the bottom of the cutting support and the bristles are made of different (especially plastic) materials.

[0056] The different features of the cutting support will now be described without distinguishing between the embodiments.

[0057] In particular, the components of the cutting support according to the invention on the drive belt 20 can have different configurations.

[0058] exist Figure 2 and 3 In the embodiment shown, each cutting support 14 is mounted on the drive belt 20 by two longitudinally spaced fastening strips 30.

[0059] Of course, other configurations can be considered. For example, in another embodiment (not shown in the figure), each cutting support can be mounted on the drive belt by three longitudinally spaced fastening strips.

[0060] In another embodiment, each cutting support can be mounted on the drive belt by three fastening strips. One fastening strip is mounted only on the belt, while the other two fastening strips are typically mounted on the cutting support and on the two adjacent cutting supports.

[0061] according to Figure 2 In the advantageous arrangement of the present invention shown, the cutting conveyor 10 may also include a device for using air to clean the cutting support 14.

[0062] The cleaning device includes, in particular, an air nozzle 32 mounted on a horizontal shaft 22 of a sprocket 24 and extending radially therefrom. As the drive belt rotates about the horizontal shaft 22, the nozzle 32 is supported against the outer surface of the bottom of the cutting support and removes dust and impurities trapped therefrom by blowing air through it. A collector 34, located on the side of the brush head and facing the cutting support, allows for the recycling of discharged dust.

[0063] It should be noted that this invention applies to cutting conveyors that use discharge springs and load springs, and also to cutting conveyors that use discharge rakes and load rakes instead.

Claims

1. A vacuum cutting conveyor (10) for an automatic blade cutting machine for sheet materials, comprising: A plurality of cutting supports rigidly connected to a drive mechanism driven along straight and curved trajectories, each of the cutting supports comprising a plurality of bristles (16, 16'), each of the bristles comprising a foot (16a) rigidly connected to a bottom (18, 18') and a head (16b) opposite to the foot for placing sheet material to be cut, characterized in that the bottom of each cutting support is capable of elastic deformation along the trajectory of the drive mechanism.

2. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom (18) of each cutting support has multiple parallel geometries that extend in a direction perpendicular to the forward direction of the drive mechanism to allow elastic deformation along the trajectory of the drive mechanism.

3. The conveyor according to claim 2, wherein, The bottom geometry of the cutting support consists of multiple parallel slots (28a, 28b).

4. The conveyor according to claim 3, wherein, The slot at the bottom includes an external slot (28a) that protrudes outward relative to the outer surface of the bottom and / or an internal slot (28b) that protrudes inward relative to the inner surface of the bottom.

5. The conveyor according to claim 4, wherein, The slot at the bottom includes alternating outer slots (28a) and inner slots to form an accordion shape.

6. The conveyor according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, The slot has a rectangular or circular cross-section.

7. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom (18) of each of the cutting supports is made of plastic material.

8. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein, Each cutting support is mounted on the transmission of the drive mechanism by means of at least one fastening strip (30) at its respective bottom.

9. The conveyor according to claim 8, wherein, Each cutting support is mounted on the transmission component of the drive mechanism by at least two longitudinally spaced fastening strips (30).

10. The conveyor according to claim 9, wherein, At least one of the two fastening strips mates with two adjacent cutting supports.

11. The conveyor of claim 1, further comprising means for cleaning the cutting support using air.

12. The conveyor according to claim 11, wherein, The air cleaning device includes an air nozzle (32) and a collector (34).

13. An automatic blade cutter for sheet materials, comprising a conveyor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images