Conveyor for a water jet cutter

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conveyor (1) for moving products P to be cut by a high-pressure liquid jet (3) exiting from a nozzle (2) of a cutting machine, in a vertical direction D, characterized in that it comprises at least: - a plurality of continuous loops (4) arranged parallel to each other between two drive rollers (5) and stretched so as to each determine an upper run (6) and a lower run (7), each loop (4) comprising at least two longitudinal walls (8); and - two guide members (11) associated with each of the loops (4) and arranged between the two drive rollers (5) and so as to enable the upper run (6) of at least one associated loop (4) to be twisted so that its longitudinal walls (8) are parallel to the direction D between the two guide members (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of machines for cutting products (e.g., food) by water jet, and more specifically, to a conveyor for moving said product to be cut below the nozzle of a water jet cutter. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of product cutting, particularly food cutting, waterjet cutting machines are known to be used. These machines consist of a frame and a movable cutting head. A loading tray, which is movable or not in a grid form, is mounted on the frame and supports the product to be cut. The movable cutting head consists of nozzles and is fixed to a bracket that moves according to longitudinal or lateral translational motion, or to the free end of an arm that can pivot about a vertical axis above the plate. The bracket or arm is driven by an electric motor or the like.

[0003] This type of waterjet cutting machine is indeed effective, but its disadvantage is that it requires a loading platform, so it cannot cut products continuously because the loading tray must be removed to remove the cut products and place the new products to be cut on the loading tray. Therefore, this type of waterjet cutting machine is not easily compatible with automated movement of the products to be cut.

[0004] To partially overcome this drawback, there are conveyors for moving the product to be cut below the nozzle of a waterjet cutter. This type of conveyor consists of a continuous belt made of metal mesh that supports the product to be cut and extends between two rollers, one of which is associated with a drive unit to move the continuous belt to move the product to be cut.

[0005] While effective, the main drawback of this type of conveyor is that the water jets splashing on the continuous metal mesh can significantly wet the products to be cut, which is unacceptable for food products. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a conveyor for moving a product to be cut below the nozzle of a waterjet cutter, which is easy to implement and clean, while ensuring optimal results, namely, clean cutting without excessive moisture on the product being cut, and which makes it easy to automate the movement of the product to be cut and thus the continuous cutting of the product.

[0007] According to the present invention, a conveyor for a high-pressure liquid jet cutting machine is provided, the conveyor being used to move a product P to be cut below a high-pressure liquid jet exiting from a nozzle in a vertical direction D according to the cutting machine, characterized in that it comprises at least:

[0008] - A plurality of continuous loops of width L and thickness E, the plurality of continuous loops being arranged parallel to each other and extending between two drive rollers, such that each defines an upper stroke and a lower stroke, each loop including at least two longitudinal walls, and being arranged such that at least a portion of the longitudinal walls of the upper and lower strokes are perpendicular to direction D, and

[0009] - Two guide members, each associated with a loop and arranged between two drive rollers, allow the upper stroke of at least one associated loop to be twisted such that its longitudinal wall is parallel to the direction D between the two guide members.

[0010] Advantageously, each guide member includes two cylindrical rollers arranged on either side of the associated loop such that the distance d between them is slightly greater than the thickness E of the associated loop, and each cylindrical roller is either fixedly mounted or pivotable about an axis belonging to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive roller.

[0011] Preferably, the two cylindrical rollers are either fixedly mounted or pivotable about an axis parallel to direction D.

[0012] According to another embodiment, each guide member includes a cylindrical roller pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to direction D and parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive roller, and is provided with a plurality of radial grooves, each receiving loop, the width d of each radial groove being slightly greater than the thickness E of the associated loop.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the conveyor is associated with an input conveyor that allows a product P to be cut to be brought onto the conveyor and / or an output conveyor that allows a cut product P to be discharged from the conveyor. Each input or output conveyor includes a plurality of continuous belts arranged parallel to each other and extending between at least one cylindrical roller and one of the guide members of the conveyor. The cylindrical roller is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the direction D of the jet exiting the nozzle and parallel to the axis of rotation of a drive roller of the conveyor loop, such that each belt has an upper stroke and a lower stroke, with at least the upper stroke of the belt arranged on the cylindrical roller of the corresponding guide member between the loops.

[0014] Advantageously, each loop can be twisted such that it contacts the outer wall of one of the drive rollers through one of its longitudinal walls, and contacts the outer wall of another drive roller through the other of its longitudinal walls.

[0015] In another embodiment, each loop is twisted like a Möbius strip.

[0016] Advantageously, each loop includes at least one ramp along the longitudinal edge of one of its longitudinal walls, which is opposite to the jet exiting the nozzle between the two guide members.

[0017] Preferably, each loop includes a ramp along the longitudinal edge of each of its longitudinal walls, the ramp being opposite to the jet exiting the nozzle between the two guide members.

[0018] Advantageously, the conveyor includes an adjustable tensioning device for each loop, which allows a predetermined tension applicable and constant during operation of each loop by means of an actuator, and conversely, allows for rapid expansion of the loop for its replacement.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a cutting machine comprising at least one nozzle from which a high-pressure liquid jet exits in a vertical direction D. The cutting machine includes a conveyor according to the invention, notably comprising a funnel-shaped container arranged vertically in line with the nozzle and located between the upper and lower strokes of the loop, thereby enabling the recovery and discharge of the cutting effluent during the cutting phase. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] [ Figure 1 [Illustrated side view of a conveyor according to the invention, used to move a product to be cut below the nozzle of a waterjet cutter.]

[0022] [ Figure 2 ]yes[ Figure 1 A schematic top view of the conveyor.

[0023] [ Figure 3 ]yes[ Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the guide components of the conveyor.

[0024] [ Figure 4 ]yes[ Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the conveyor loop.

[0025] [ Figure 5 [Image 1] is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a conveyor according to the present invention, which is used to move a product to be cut below the nozzle of a waterjet cutter.

[0026] [ Figure 6 ]yes[ Figure 3 A schematic top view of the conveyor.

[0027] [ Figure 7 ]yes[ Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the guide components of the conveyor.

[0028] [ Figure 8 [Image 1] is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of a conveyor according to the present invention, which is used to move a product to be cut below the nozzle of a waterjet cutter.

[0029] [ Figure 9 ]yes[ Figure 8 A schematic top view of the conveyor. Detailed Implementation

[0030] refer to Figures 1 to 3 A conveyor 1 for moving the product P to be cut below at least one nozzle 2 of a liquid jet cutter (conventionally a waterjet cutter) is shown in a partial schematic diagram; the cutter itself is not shown to avoid excessive detail. A high-pressure liquid jet 3 exits from the nozzle 2 in a vertical direction D.

[0031] Without departing from the scope of the invention, the direction D of the jet 3 may be more or less tilted relative to the vertical direction, and then applicable terms such as vertical, horizontal, up or down will be used.

[0032] Furthermore, only one nozzle 2 is shown in the figure, but it is self-evident that the cutting machine associated with the conveyor 1 according to the invention may include multiple nozzles 2.

[0033] The conveyor 1 includes multiple continuous loops 4, which are arranged parallel to each other and extend between two cylindrical drive rollers 5.

[0034] refer to[ Figure 3 Each of these loops 4 defines an upper stroke 6 and a lower stroke 7 extending above and below the two drive rollers 5, respectively. Furthermore, each loop 4 has a rectangular overall cross-section, the length and width of which define the width L and thickness E of the loop 4, respectively, and the loop then includes two longitudinal walls 8 connected by two lateral walls 9.

[0035] refer to Figures 1 to 2 Each loop 4 is arranged on at least one of its sidewalls on the horizontal plane of each of the drive rollers 4, i.e., one of its longitudinal walls 8 contacts the outer wall 10 of the drive roller 5. At least a portion of the longitudinal walls 8 of the upper stroke 6 and the lower stroke 7 are perpendicular to the direction D of the high-pressure liquid jet 3 exiting from the nozzle 2.

[0036] The phrase "having a rectangular general shape" in this document should be understood to mean that the cross-section of each loop 3 is not strictly limited to a rectangle, and the angle of the cross-section can be not only a right angle, but also a rounded corner, a chamfer, or an oblique angle, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0037] Furthermore, "parallel" should be understood to mean an angle between 0° and 20° between the elements or part parts of the conveyor 1 according to the invention. Similarly, "perpendicular" should be understood to mean an angle between 70° and 110° between the elements or part parts of the conveyor 1.

[0038] The conveyor 1 according to the invention further includes at least two guide members 11, which are associated with each of the loops 4 and arranged between the two drive rollers 5. The two guide members 11 allow the upper stroke 6 of at least one associated loop 4 to be rotated by 90° such that the upper stroke 6 is guided at its edge between the two guide members 11, i.e., its longitudinal wall 8 is parallel to the direction D of the liquid jet 3 exiting from the nozzle 2 between the two guide members 11.

[0039] In this configuration, one or more products P to be cut can then be positioned at the top of the upper stroke of the loop 4 between the two guide members 11. Therefore, as the drive rollers 5 move, they drive each loop 4 and move one or more products P to be cut below the nozzle 2 between the two guide members 11, so that the product P can continue to be cut by the jet 3.

[0040] It should be understood that, using this configuration, continuous automated cutting of product P can be achieved by linking the stations for preparing product P to be cut and for packaging and cutting product P directly at the end of conveyor 1 or via other conventional roller conveyors.

[0041] Furthermore, twisting the upper stroke 6 of each loop 4 by 90° allows the product P to be cut to have stable support without any risk of damaging the loop 4, because the upper stroke 6 of the loop is arranged on the edge between the two guide members 11, thus having the narrowest wall, namely one of its lateral walls 9, opposite to the jet 3 coming out of the nozzle 2.

[0042] Furthermore, to further limit the impact of the water jet from nozzle 2 on the upper stroke 5 between the two guide members 11, each loop 4 includes at least one inclined surface 12 along the longitudinal edge of one of its longitudinal walls 8, which is opposite to the jet 3 exiting from nozzle 2 between the two guide members 11. Preferably, each loop 3 includes an inclined surface 12 along the longitudinal edge of the longitudinal wall 8, which is opposite to the jet 3 exiting from nozzle 2 between the two guide members 11 (see […]). Figure 3 ]).

[0043] refer to Figures 1 to 3 Each guide member 11 includes two cylindrical rollers 13, which are arranged on either side of the associated loop 4 such that the distance d between them is slightly greater than the thickness E of the associated loop 4, so that the upper stroke 6 of the loop 4 can pass through and is held at its edge between the two guide members 11. Each of the two cylindrical rollers 13 is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to the direction D of the jet 3 exiting from the nozzle 2, and the axis of each of the two cylindrical rollers 13 belongs to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive roller 5. Advantageously, the height of the cylindrical rollers 13 is less than or equal to the width L of each loop 4.

[0044] Without departing from the present invention, the axes of the two cylindrical rollers 13 may not be parallel to the direction D of the jet 3 exiting from the nozzle 2, but may be inclined relative to that direction.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will not find it difficult to determine the size and relative position of the cylindrical roller 13 based on the size of each loop 4.

[0046] Figures 5 to 7 A conveyor 21 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. This conveyor 21 differs from the aforementioned conveyor 1 only in that it includes guide members 22, which are different from the aforementioned guide members 11. Therefore, each guide member 22 includes a cylindrical roller 23, which is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the direction D of the jet 3 exiting the nozzle 2, and is provided with a plurality of radial grooves 24 in the direction of movement of the loop 4, each receiving the loop 4. It should be understood that in the described configuration, the axis of rotation of each cylindrical roller 23 is also parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive roller 5. The width d of each radial groove 24 is slightly greater than the thickness E of the associated loop 4, so that the upper stroke 6 of the loop 4 can pass through and retain a portion 12 of the upper stroke 6 on its edge. Advantageously, the depth of each radial groove 24 is less than or equal to the width L of each loop 4.

[0047] Figures 5 to 7Each guide member 22 of the conveyor 21 is shown, including a cylindrical roller 23 provided with a plurality of radial grooves 24. However, it is self-evident that, without departing from the scope of the invention, each guide member 22 may include a plurality of cylindrical rollers arranged coaxially in succession, and each is provided with one or more radial grooves 24.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will not find it difficult to determine the dimensions of the radial groove 24 based on the dimensions of each loop 4.

[0049] Although the cylindrical rollers 13 and 23 are preferably pivotally mounted to limit friction and thus wear, it goes without saying that they can be fixedly mounted without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0050] Advantageously, conveyors 1, 21 include adjustable devices (not shown) for tensioning each loop 4, allowing a predetermined, suitable and constant tension to be obtained during operation of each loop 4 by means of an actuator such as a cylinder or hydraulic cylinder, and conversely, allowing the rapid release of said loop 4 for its replacement.

[0051] In addition, with [ Figure 4 In contrast, each loop 4 can be twisted during its installation such that it contacts the outer wall 10 of one of the drive rollers 5 through one of its longitudinal walls 8e, and contacts the outer wall 10 of the other roller through the other of its longitudinal walls 8e.

[0052] Similarly, according to another embodiment, each loop 4 can be twisted during its manufacture, just like a Möbius loop.

[0053] It should be understood that the conveyors 1, 21 according to the invention can not only be used to continuously translate the product P to be cut below the high-pressure liquid jet 3 from the nozzle 2, but also help to cut the product P by making the product reciprocate below the jet 3, especially when the nozzle 2 moves only in a direction transverse to the loop 4.

[0054] according to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The third embodiment shown, Figures 5 to 7The conveyor 21 may be associated with an input conveyor 25 that allows the product P to be cut to be brought onto the conveyor 21 and / or an output conveyor that allows the cut product P to be discharged from the conveyor 21. Each input or output conveyor 25 includes a plurality of continuous belts 26 arranged parallel to each other and extending between at least one cylindrical roller 27 and one of the guide members 22 of the conveyor 21. The cylindrical roller is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the direction D of the jet 3 exiting from the nozzle 2 and parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive roller 5 of the loop 4 of the conveyor 21, such that each defines an upper stroke 28 and a lower stroke, at least the upper stroke 28 of which is arranged on the cylindrical roller 23 of the corresponding guide member 22 between the loops 4. Advantageously, the belt 26 has a circular cross-section. With this special configuration, it should be understood that the input conveyor 25 or the output conveyor will be fully synchronized with the conveyor 21, thereby facilitating the transition with another upstream or downstream conveyor, because the area before or after the vertical twist of loop 4 is due to gradual twisting rather than being particularly stable.

[0055] Finally, the cutter associated with conveyors 1 and 21 advantageously includes a container 14, which is advantageously funnel-shaped, vertically arranged in line with nozzle 2 and located between the upper stroke 6 and the lower stroke 7 of loop 4 to avoid damaging the lower stroke 7. The container 14 is conventionally connected at the bottom to a pipe (not shown), which is advantageously flexible to allow for the discharge of cutting effluent during the cutting phase.

[0056] Similarly, the conveyors 1 and 21 according to the invention are advantageously integrated into waterjet cutting machines, but can also be integrated into other types of cutting machines such as laser cutting machines.

[0057] Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of conveyors 1 and 21 described above according to the present invention are merely specific illustrations of the invention and are by no means limitations thereof.

Claims

1. A cutting machine comprising at least one nozzle (2) and a conveyor (1, 21), a high-pressure liquid jet (3) exiting from the nozzle in a vertical direction D, the conveyor allowing movement of a product P to be cut below the high-pressure liquid jet (3), and comprising at least a plurality of continuous loops (4) having a width L and a thickness E, the plurality of continuous loops being arranged parallel to each other and extending between two drive rollers (5), such that each loop (4) defines an upper stroke (6) and a lower stroke (7), each loop (4) comprising at least two longitudinal walls (8) and arranged such that the product P to be cut is moved below the high-pressure liquid jet (3), and comprising at least two longitudinal walls (8) arranged such that the product P to be cut is moved below the high-pressure liquid jet (3), and comprising at least two continuous loops (2) having a width L and a thickness E, the plurality of continuous loops being arranged parallel to each other and extending between two drive rollers (5), such that each loop (4) defines an upper stroke (6) and a lower stroke (7), each loop (4) including at least two longitudinal walls (8) and arranged such that the product P to be cut is moved below the high-pressure liquid jet (3), and comprising at least two longitudinal walls (8) and arranged such that the product P to be cut below the high-pressure liquid jet (3), the product P to be cut below the high-pressure liquid jet (3), the product P to be cut below the high-pressure liquid jet (3), and comprising at least two continuous loops (2) being arranged such that the product P to be cut below the high-pressure liquid jet (3), ... The longitudinal wall (8) of at least a portion of the upper stroke (6) and lower stroke (7) is perpendicular to the direction D. The conveyor (1, 21) is characterized in that the conveyor (1, 21) includes at least two guide members (11, 22), which are associated with each loop (4) and arranged between the two drive rollers (5). The two guide members (11, 22) allow the upper stroke (6) of the at least one associated loop (4) to be twisted such that its longitudinal wall (8) is parallel to the direction D between the two guide members (11, 22).

2. The cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each guide member (11) includes two cylindrical rollers (13) arranged on either side of the associated loop (4) such that the distance d between them is slightly greater than the thickness E of the associated loop (4), and each cylindrical roller (13) is fixedly mounted or pivotable about an axis belonging to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive roller (5).

3. The cutting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two cylindrical rollers (13) are each fixedly mounted or pivotable about an axis parallel to the direction D.

4. The cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each guide member (22) includes a cylindrical roller (23) pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the direction D and parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive roller (5), and is provided with a plurality of radial grooves (24), each radial groove (24) receiving a loop (4), the width d of each radial groove (24) being slightly greater than the thickness E of the associated loop (4).

5. The cutting machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The conveyors (1, 21) are associated with an input conveyor (25) that allows the product P to be cut to be brought onto the conveyor (21) and / or an output conveyor that allows the cut product P to be discharged from the conveyor (21). Each input conveyor (25) or output conveyor includes a plurality of continuous belts (26) that are parallel to each other between at least one of the cylindrical rollers (27) of the input conveyor (25) or output conveyor and one of the guide members (22) of the conveyor (21). The cylindrical rollers of the input conveyor (25) or output conveyor are arranged and extended in a row, and are pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the direction D of the jet (3) exiting the nozzle (2) and parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive roller (5) of the loop (4) of the conveyor (21), such that each loop (4) defines an upper stroke (28) and a lower stroke, at least the upper stroke (28) of the belt being arranged on the cylindrical roller (23) of the corresponding guide member (22) between the loops (4).

6. The cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Each loop (4) is twisted such that it contacts the outer wall (10) of one of the drive rollers (5) through one of its longitudinal walls (8), and contacts the outer wall (10) of the other drive roller (5) through the other of its longitudinal walls (8).

7. The cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each loop (4) is twisted like a Möbius strip.

8. The cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each loop (4) includes at least one ramp (12) along the longitudinal edge of one of its longitudinal walls (8), the ramp being opposite to the jet (3) exiting from the nozzle (2) between the two guide members (11).

9. The cutting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each loop (4) includes a ramp (12) along the longitudinal edge of each of its longitudinal walls (8), the ramp being opposite to the jet (3) exiting from the nozzle (2) between the two guide members (11).

10. The cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyors (1, 21) include an adjustable tensioning device for each loop (4), which allows a predetermined tension applicable and constant during operation of each loop (4) by means of an actuator, and conversely allows the loop (4) to expand rapidly for its replacement.

11. The cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a funnel-shaped container (14) arranged vertically in a straight line with the nozzle (2) and located between the upper stroke (6) and the lower stroke (7) of the loop (4), so that the cutting effluent can be recovered and discharged during the cutting phase.

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