Automatic cutting device for printed supports

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an automatic cutting device for printed supports which allows to compensate the space generated between the sliding plane surfaces, thus always supporting the support to be cut and allowing it to pass from one sliding plane surface to the other and to the relative unloading roller, avoiding blockages at the outlet of the device. This result is achieved by means of an array of fins supported on the second sliding plane surface, configured to move from a closed configuration, in which all the fins protrude from the second sliding plane surface towards the first sliding plane surface and occupy the transverse cutting area, to an open configuration, in which they are away from the transverse cutting area, thus allowing the cutting unit to move undisturbed. The array of fins in the closed configuration supports the printed support cut in passing from the first sliding plane surface to the second sliding plane surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the cutting of a printing medium on which multiple images are printed, such as, in particular, strips of photographic paper, fabric, PVC, etc., in sheet or roll form. Background Technology

[0002] The automatic cutting device includes one or more longitudinal cutting units and one transverse cutting unit. The longitudinal cutting unit is adapted to allow cutting of the printing carrier in one or more directions parallel to the feed direction, and the transverse cutting unit is adapted to allow cutting of the substrate perpendicular to the feed direction.

[0003] These devices cut individual images from sheets or rolls of printing carriers with various features and sizes, thereby optimizing carrier consumption and increasing printing speed.

[0004] The transverse cutting units are typically movable along a first transverse guide rail, while the longitudinal cutting units are typically constrained to a second transverse guide rail. They are locked in a predetermined position along the second transverse guide rail in order to obtain the necessary cuts and thus separate the image.

[0005] This type of cutting device is schematically shown. Figure 1 It essentially comprises two sliding planar surfaces 1 and 2 of a printed circuit board 11, and optical codes 3 read by the electronics of a reader 4, thereby allowing automatic positioning of the longitudinally cut group 5.

[0006] It has been noted that once the cutting of the printing carrier 11 has been carried out in the transverse cutting area between the two sliding plane surfaces 1 and 2 of the cutting device, there is a risk that the free edge of the advancing cutting printing carrier may reach below the sliding surface downstream of the cutting unit 5-10. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To eliminate these limitations, this disclosure provides a cutting device having means that allows the space created between the sliding plane surfaces to be occupied, thereby always supporting the carrier to be cut and allowing it to be transferred from one plane to another and to the associated unloading roller, thereby avoiding blockage at the device outlet.

[0008] This result has already been achieved in the cutting device. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic top view representing an automated cutting device based on known technology.

[0010] Figure 2AThe schematic top view representing the automatic cutting device according to this disclosure shows that the automatic cutting device is in a closed configuration of the array of fins, and that there are no longitudinal cutting units located in the transverse cutting area for longitudinal cutting of the printing carrier.

[0011] Figure 2B represent Figure 2A A side view of the device.

[0012] Figure 3A The schematic top view representing the automatic cutting device according to this disclosure shows the automatic cutting device in an open configuration of an array of fins.

[0013] Figure 3B represent Figure 3A A side view of the device.

[0014] Figure 4A The schematic top view representing the automatic cutting device according to this disclosure shows the automatic cutting device in an open configuration of an array of fins, wherein the longitudinal cutting unit has been brought to a predetermined distance within the transverse cutting area to longitudinally cut the printed carrier.

[0015] Figure 4B represent Figure 4A A side view of the device.

[0016] Figure 5A The schematic top view representing the automatic cutting device according to this disclosure shows that the automatic cutting device is in a closed configuration of an array of fins, wherein the longitudinal cutting unit is located at a predetermined distance within the transverse cutting area to longitudinally cut the printing carrier.

[0017] Figure 5B represent Figure 5A A side view of the device.

[0018] Figure 6A Represents the process of cutting and printing the substrate. Figure 5A A schematic top view of an automatic cutting device.

[0019] Figure 6B represent Figure 6A A side view of the device. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Reference Figures 2A-6BAn automatic cutting device for the printing carrier 11 can be seen, which has a feed direction of the printing carrier to be cut according to the longitudinal axis X. Along this feed direction, the first sliding surface 1 of the printing carrier 11 to be cut and the second sliding surface 2 of the carrier 11 that has already been cut are arranged sequentially. The second sliding surface 2 is placed at a certain distance from the first sliding surface along the feed direction, and together with the first sliding surface 1, defines a transverse cutting area, which has a main extension along a transverse axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0021] The automatic cutting device includes at least two longitudinal cutting units 5 and is configured to move along the transverse axis Y within the transverse cutting area in order to intercept and cut the printed carrier 11 in at least one direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).

[0022] In the embodiment shown in the figure, specifically, there are six longitudinal cutting units 5 to allow the printing carrier to be divided into up to seven parts. The movement of the longitudinal cutting units 5 is controlled by an electronic control unit (not shown in the figure), which communicates data with position sensors and actuators included in each longitudinal cutting unit 5, which respectively allow the detection of position and movement relative to the transverse Y-axis.

[0023] More specifically, each cutting unit 5 has a rest position on the outside of the transverse cutting area portion through which the molded carrier 11 passes, and a cutting position on the inside of that portion. The spatial coordinates along the transverse axis Y of each longitudinal cutting unit 5 are determined by commands from the control unit based on specific preset parameters of the printing carrier 11 of a particular type to be cut, or based on information read from the printing carrier 11 itself, as will be better seen later. For simplicity, the set of spatial coordinates along the transverse Y-axis of each longitudinal cutting unit 5 will be referred to below as the “state” of the longitudinal cutting unit 5.

[0024] The automatic cutting device advantageously includes an array of fins 14 arranged in a comb-like pattern and cantilevered on a second sliding plane surface 2. The array of fins is configured to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration under the control of an electronic control unit. In the closed configuration, all fins 14 protrude from the second sliding plane surface 2 and occupy the transverse cutting area; in the open configuration, the fins 14 leave the transverse cutting area, thereby allowing the longitudinal cutting unit 5 to move undisturbed along the transverse axis Y.

[0025] When in the closed configuration, the array of fins 14 is configured to support the printing carrier and / or portions of the printing carrier 11 cut along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X from the first sliding plane surface to the second sliding plane surface. In this way, the risk of clogging due to the printing medium not reaching the second sliding plane surface is eliminated.

[0026] Each fin 14 is elastically constrained in the array of fins 14, allowing it to elastically deform along the transverse axis Y. Thus, when one or more fins 14 transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration and intercept the longitudinal cutting unit 5 positioned at the cutting location, they contact the cutting unit 5 and alter their trajectory by bending, as... Figure 5A and Figure 6A As shown. In other words, due to the deformation of the fins 14 of the intercepting longitudinal cutting unit 5 along the transverse axis Y, the overall movement of the array of fins 14 is generally unimpeded when the array of fins 14 changes from an open configuration to a closed configuration.

[0027] According to one aspect, the fin 14 has a main extension in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X, and is configured to resist deformation according to the vertical axis Z perpendicular to the sliding plane surface.

[0028] More specifically, the array of fins 14 includes a base structure and a plurality of fins 14 rigidly constrained thereto at one of its distal ends. The base structure is moved such that when the array of fins 14 changes from a closed configuration to an open configuration, the fins 14 and the base structure slide below the second sliding plane surface.

[0029] According to one aspect, each cutting unit 5 also includes a wedge-shaped guide 15 facing the second sliding plane surface 2, the wedge-shaped guide 15 being configured to further promote the plastic deformation of the fin 14 by guiding the fin 14 outward from the transverse cutting area.

[0030] According to one aspect, each cutting unit 5 is configured to cut the printing carrier 11 in two directions parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The inner surface of the wedge guide 15, i.e. the surface facing the first sliding plane surface, is configured to guide the waste 16 (i.e., the molded carrier portion 11 included between the two cutting directions) below the second sliding plane surface so that it can be easily collected.

[0031] According to one aspect, the automatic cutting device includes an unloading roller 12 at the second sliding plane surface 2, the unloading roller 12 being configured to pick up the printing carrier 11 after any one or more cuts performed by the cutting unit 5.

[0032] The automatic cutting device is particularly advantageous when combined with the optical code recognition device described in Italian patent application 102019000011847 by the same applicant. According to one aspect, the automatic cutting device for the printing medium 11 includes an optical code reader 4 at a first sliding plane surface 1, the optical code reader 4 being configured to read optical codes 3 on the printing medium 11 entering the first sliding plane surface 1. An electronic control unit is programmed to interpret data corresponding to the optical codes 3 to obtain information related to the state of the longitudinal cutting unit 5, which is necessary for processing the printing medium 11 entering the first sliding plane surface 1.

[0033] If different states of vertical cutting unit 5 are required compared to the current state, the control unit commands in sequence:

[0034] - An actuator (not shown) is used to move the array of fins 14 from the open configuration to the closed configuration;

[0035] - One or more actuators (not shown) for moving corresponding one or more longitudinal cutting units 5 to bring them to the desired state required for processing the printing carrier 11 entering the first sliding plane surface 1; and

[0036] - An actuator (not shown) is used to move the array of fins 14 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0037] Subsequently, the electronic control unit will manage the cutting operation as in existing cutting devices and will maintain the same state of the longitudinal cutting unit until a different instruction is received; even if, as mentioned above, no change in state is required, it will operate in the same manner. It should be understood that if the printing carrier is absent or difficult to identify, information about the desired state of the longitudinal cutting unit can be provided directly to the control unit.

[0038] Thanks to the automatic cutting device described in this disclosure, the cutting of various printing media becomes more practical because, regardless of their weight per unit area and their resistance to deformation, the media cannot slide below the second sliding plane surface, which would otherwise cause clogging. All of this retains the advantages of the cutting device, whose longitudinal cutting unit can be arbitrarily positioned along the transverse Y-axis to obtain trimmed prints of any size.

Claims

1. An automatic cutting device for a printing carrier (11), comprising: - The feeding direction of the printing medium (X); - First sliding plane surface (1), which is in the feeding direction of the printing carrier to be cut; - A second sliding plane surface (2) is placed in the feed direction of the printing carrier after the printing carrier has been cut, wherein the second sliding plane surface (2) is placed at a certain distance from the first sliding plane surface (1) along the feed direction and together with the first sliding plane surface (1) defines a transverse cutting area having a main dimension along a transverse axis (Y) perpendicular to the feed direction (X); - At least two cutting units (5) configured to move along the transverse axis (Y) within the transverse cutting region to intercept and cut the printed carrier (11); and - An electronic control unit configured to control the movement of at least two cutting units (5); Its features The automatic cutting device also includes an array of comb-shaped fins (14), which are cantilevered on the second sliding plane surface (2) and elastically constrained in the array, allowing them to bend elastically along the transverse axis (Y), wherein the array: - The configuration is such that it moves from a closed configuration to an open configuration under the control of an electronic control unit. In the closed configuration, all fins (14) protrude from the second sliding plane surface (2) toward the first sliding plane surface (1) and occupy the transverse cutting area. In the open configuration, they leave the transverse cutting area to allow at least two cutting units (5) to move undisturbed along the transverse axis (Y). - When in the closed configuration, it is configured to support the printing carrier and / or the cut portion of the printing carrier (11) when the free edge of the printing carrier (11) is transferred from the first sliding plane surface (1) to the second sliding plane surface (2).

2. The automatic cutting device for a printing carrier (11) according to claim 1, wherein the fins (14) have a main dimension according to a direction parallel to the feed direction (X) and are configured to resist deformation according to a vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the second sliding plane surface (2).

3. The automatic cutting device for a printing carrier (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least two cutting units (5) include a wedge-shaped guide (15) facing a second sliding plane surface (2), the wedge-shaped guide being configured to facilitate elastic deformation of the fins (14) to guide the fins toward the outside of the transverse cutting area.

4. The automatic cutting device for a printing carrier (11) according to claim 3, wherein the cutting unit (5) is configured to cut the printing carrier (11) in two directions parallel to the feed direction (X), and the wedge guide (15) is configured to guide waste (16) below the second sliding plane surface (2).

5. The automatic cutting device for a printing carrier (11) according to claim 1, comprising an optical code reader (4) at a first sliding plane surface (1), configured to read optical codes (3) on the printing carrier (11) entering the first sliding plane surface (1), Each cutting unit (5) includes a position sensor that detects the position of the cutting unit relative to the transverse axis (Y). The electronic control unit is configured to communicate with the optical code reader (4) and the position sensors of each cutting unit (5) and is programmed to interpret the data corresponding to the optical code (3) to give commands: -Actuator for moving the array of fins (14) from an open configuration to a closed configuration and / or for moving the array of fins (14) from a closed configuration to an open configuration; - One or more actuators for moving the two or more cutting units (5) along the transverse cutting region.

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