Corrugated board production equipment

Abstract

A corrugated board production apparatus (10) comprises a coupling group (40) designed to form a single-wave corrugated board (6, 6 ') by coupling together a corrugated paper tape (2) and a continuous flat paper tape (4), a flat paper storage device (60) and a corrugated paper storage device (50). The flat paper storage device (60) and the corrugated paper storage device (50) are reels, and the apparatus further comprises a support system (48, 58) for the reels (50, 60), the support system (48, 58) comprising a pair of support rollers (52, 54).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of corrugated board production devices and equipment. Background Art

[0002] The corrugated board production plants known in the art comprise at least one corrugating unit supplied with a continuous flat web of paper. Each corrugating unit comprises a corrugator, known as a "single-facer", particularly adapted to produce fluting on one of the continuous flat webs and to combine the fluting web with a continuous flat web of paper known as a "facer", thus forming a continuous composite board known as "canneté".

[0003] The corrugated board production equipment also includes a plurality of processing stations arranged in sequence, which receive the fluted paper formed by the corrugated unit and are able to complete the production of corrugated board. For example, it is known to include a joining unit, which forms a corrugated board by combining (for example gluing) one or more fluted papers and an additional continuous flat paper web, which is called "second paper".

[0004] In this field, there is an increasing need to produce paperboard with predetermined dimensions in order to be able to produce containers, such as boxes, with predetermined dimensions. Usually, the dimensions of the paperboard are chosen according to the dimensions of the box after forming, which in turn are chosen according to the contents that will be placed in it. This type of production is called "on demand" production.

[0005] The production of containers of predetermined dimensions is usually done by a specific machine also called a packing machine. The cardboard is introduced into the packing machine which folds the cardboard parts, thus making a container or box. In some cases, the machine also positions the product inside the box.

[0006] It is not possible to combine a corrugated board production plant of known type with a packaging machine.

[0007] In fact, the known type of corrugated board production equipment has a series of drawbacks when producing boards with different sizes and / or predetermined characteristics. For example, these equipment work with large-sized flat paper reels. In addition, the known type of equipment works at very high processing speeds and can produce up to 400 meters of board per minute. In this case, interruptions in production in order to change reels, change the type of flat paper or modify the cutting or creasing dimensions of the output board lead to excessive board production costs and even the risk of damage to the equipment itself. Finally, the known type of equipment requires a number of additional machines such as glue preparation machines, steam generators, etc., which makes the equipment too large and complicated to manage.

[0008] Therefore, solutions have been developed to overcome these problems.

[0009] One of the most common solutions is to provide the packaging machine with a single wave corrugated cardboard strip of predetermined width and length. This single wave corrugated cardboard strip is stored folded on itself in a container for easier storage and removal. This single wave cardboard is called "fanfold" type, similar to the continuous paper used in dot matrix printers, which is also folded and stored in a container.

[0010] However, this solution has a major drawback: the high cost of raw materials. Fanfold paperboard is extremely expensive to produce and transport. In addition, fanfold paperboard has a significant crease or indentation in the area where it is folded for storage. This results in the risk of producing a box with a crease on one side of the paperboard, or the need to discard this part of the paperboard during the box manufacturing process. This leads to a significant increase in production costs.

[0011] Another known type of solution to the problem of fanfold paperboard is to supply the packaging machine with a single sheet of paperboard in a single wave, preferably in large size, so that the paperboard can be cut to make boxes of any desired size, as long as the size of the box is smaller than the size of the paperboard itself.

[0012] Although the cost of producing a single sheet is lower than that of fan-folded sheets, this solution also has a major drawback: waste of material. Due to the large dimensions of the sheets, if the overall dimensions of the box surface do not correspond to the dimensions of the sheet surface, the box usually produced uses only a part of the sheet, and it is not always possible to use a single sheet to make several boxes.

[0013] To this end, there is a need to find a way to produce single wave paperboard of predetermined dimensions selected according to the container or box to be made, while keeping production costs low and minimizing the amount of waste.

[0014] It is therefore a general object of the present invention to find a solution to this need. Summary of the invention

[0015] In view of this purpose, the patentee conceives to provide a corrugated board production equipment according to the present invention, comprising:

[0016] Support structure;

[0017] a coupling group adapted to form a single wave corrugated board by coupling a corrugated paper strip and a continuous flat paper strip together; and

[0018] Flat paper storage devices and corrugated paper storage devices,

[0019] Characterized in that the flat paper storage device and the corrugated paper storage device are reels, and the device further comprises a support system for the reels, wherein the support system comprises a pair of support rollers.

[0020] The dependent claims define preferred and / or particularly advantageous features of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a corrugated board production apparatus according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a detailed schematic side view of a coupling group;

[0024] Figure 3 is based on Figure 1 A detailed schematic side view of a system for supporting a reel;

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a corrugated board production apparatus according to the present invention; and

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a corrugated board production apparatus according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] It is to be understood that elements or features of one embodiment may conveniently be incorporated in other embodiments without further explanation.

[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Each example is intended to illustrate the present invention only and is not to be construed as limiting the present invention. For example, a technical feature shown or described as forming part of one embodiment may be employed in other embodiments or associated with other embodiments to generate another embodiment. It is to be understood that the present invention will include such modifications and variations.

[0029] In a first embodiment of the present invention, a corrugated board production machine 10 includes a support structure, such as but not limited to a support frame 20. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 20 extends vertically and includes at least a pair of side columns 22 and a horizontal surface 24 connected to the side columns 22 . Figure 1 The illustrated frame defines two operating areas, namely an upper area 26 disposed above a second, lower operating area 28 .

[0030] Obviously, it is also conceivable that the two operating areas 26, 28 are arranged in a manner different from that described and illustrated here, for example side by side. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the two operating areas do not even have a horizontal surface 24.

[0031] According to a possible variant of the invention, the supporting frame 20 may also comprise upper and / or lateral covering walls, so that the two operating areas 26 , 28 form a closed compartment.

[0032] The corrugated board production apparatus 10 further comprises a coupling group 40 adapted to form a single wave of corrugated board by coupling the corrugated paper strip 2 and the continuous flat paper strip 4 together.

[0033] The coupling group 40 comprises a glue applicator designed to apply a layer of adhesive substance, such as glue, to the corrugated strip 2 , preferably to the crests of the corrugated strip 2 , during use.

[0034] Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the glue applicator includes a pair of pressure rollers 32 and a glue applicator roller 34 .

[0035] According to an alternative embodiment, the glue applicator can also be of rod type.

[0036] According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the glue applicator uses an adhesive substance capable of maintaining adhesion for a long time even when exposed to atmospheric agents, such as a so-called "open glue" or pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), which is able to adhere to the surfaces of the corrugated and flat paper strips when they are pressed together. These types of adhesive substances achieve adhesion by physical processes and are therefore able to achieve the right balance between adhesion and cohesion. As for the composition of these adhesive substances, they may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer: glues of the pressure-sensitive adhesive type are usually based on ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyolefins and rubber.

[0037] The coupling group 40 may also include a so-called “pressing group” 30 , which is designed to stabilize the coupling between the continuous corrugated paper strip and the continuous flat paper strip and to complete the manufacture of the single-wave corrugated paper strip 6 .

[0038] The press group 30 may include a pair of belts 42 or pressure rollers designed to compress the corrugated board 6 so as to strengthen the paper sheets forming the corrugated board 6 and bond them together. The press group may also include one or more heating plates that can be selectively turned on to heat the corrugated board 6 and reduce any moisture that may be present.

[0039] According to the present embodiment, the press group forms a traction system 30 for traction of the corrugated paper strip 2 and the continuous flat paper strip 4 by means of a pair of belts 42 or pressure rollers.

[0040] As will become more clearly apparent below, this feature is particularly advantageous in that it allows the structure for storing the corrugated paper web 2 and the continuous flat paper web 4 to be greatly simplified.

[0041] According to the embodiment shown, the inlet of the press group 39 is directed towards the glue applicator.

[0042] Obviously, different embodiments of the coupling group than those described hitherto may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0043] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the coupling group 40 is arranged in the lower operating area 28 .

[0044] The corrugated board production plant 10 comprises a storage device for flat paper 4. Preferably, the storage device comprises a reel 60 on which a continuous flat paper strip 4 is wound. In this description, the flat paper strip 4 is also called face paper, because it forms the paper covering the corrugated paper.

[0045] The corrugated board production device 10 also includes a storage device for the corrugated paper 2. Preferably, the storage device includes a reel 50, on which the continuous corrugated paper strip 2 is wound.

[0046] As already mentioned above, the term "corrugated paper" is understood to mean a flat sheet of paper joined to a corrugated sheet. The two sheets are preferably glued together. The term "corrugated paper" is understood to mean a flat sheet of paper that has been subjected to a deformation process and therefore has a plurality of wave crests alternating with a plurality of wave troughs. Corrugated paper is usually produced on a single-face machine.

[0047] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the corrugated paper reel 50 and the flat paper reel 60 are both vertically offset relative to the coupling group 40. For example but not limited to, the corrugated paper reel 50 and the flat paper reel 60 are both arranged in the upper operating area 26.

[0048] According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the storage device of the corrugated board production plant 10 does not comprise a suspension device known in the art, such as a reel holder provided with a suspension arm, but comprises a support system 48, 58 for each of the reels 50, 60. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, a corrugated paper roll 50 is arranged to rest on a pair of support rollers 52 , 54 .

[0049] According to this configuration, the support system is arranged below the reels 50, 60 and the reels 50, 60 are pressed against a pair of support rollers 52, 54 and are not suspended from suspension arms. This solution significantly simplifies the structure of the plant according to the invention, making it easier to load full reels and unload empty reels from a corrugated board production plant.

[0050] The first roller is a motorised support roller 54, rotatable about its axis and operatively connected to a first actuator 55 which allows the motorised support roller 54 to rotate during use.

[0051] The motorized support roller 54 is particularly advantageous because its rotation can reduce the rotation speed of the corrugated paper reel 50 by means of friction and thus cause the unwinding of the corrugated paper strip 2. Alternatively, the rotation of the motorized support roller 54 in the direction opposite to the previous direction can facilitate the rotation of the corrugated paper reel 50, thereby facilitating the traction force applied by the traction system 30. For example, the weight of a full reel is very large, so when it passes from the standby position (where the corrugated paper 2 and the flat paper 4 are not pulled by the traction system 30 and the reel is at rest) to the operating position (where the corrugated paper 2 and the flat paper 4 are pulled by the traction system 30), the rotation of the motorized support roller causes the reel 50 to rotate, thereby overcoming the inertial forces and facilitating the unwinding of the corrugated paper and the flat paper 4 from the reel 50, avoiding undesirable tearing. Similarly, when the traction system 30 interrupts its traction action, the motorized support roller 54 rotates in the direction opposite to the previous direction, thereby reducing the inertia of the reel 50 and facilitating the interruption of the rotation of the reel 50, preventing the inertia of the reel 50 from causing more corrugated paper 2 or flat paper 4 that is not pulled by the traction system 30 to continue to unfold.

[0052] Again, thanks to this solution, it is possible to increase the pulling speed of the fluted paper 2 and the flat paper 4 in both the start and stop modes of the corrugated board production process, thereby increasing the unwinding speed.

[0053] Again, according to this second embodiment, the second roller is an idle support roller 52. The idle support roller 52 is particularly useful because the unwinding of the corrugated paper strip 2 may cause the corrugated paper roll 50 to shift, thereby causing it to slide out of its installed position and affecting the correct unwinding of the corrugated paper strip 2. This function is more useful when the corrugated paper roll 50 has almost been fully unwound and its weight has therefore been significantly reduced.

[0054] According to another feature, the bottom portion of the corrugated paper reel 50 is located between two side panels 56, which are designed to limit any swing of the reel 50 when the corrugated paper strip 2 is unwound and / or to keep the reel 50 aligned with a vertical axis passing through the center of the corrugated paper reel 50 when in use.

[0055] For the flat paper roll 60 there is also the same support system as described so far with reference to the corrugated paper roll 50 .

[0056] According to an advantageous feature of this embodiment, the motorized support roller 54 and the idle support roller 542 comprise so-called "collision-free" wheels, i.e. wheels made of elastic material, capable of supporting the corrugated paper reel 50 while avoiding excessive compression of the corrugated paper 2 itself, thereby not changing (e.g. crushing) the wave crests of the corrugated paper.

[0057] According to one of the possible embodiments of the present invention, the system for supporting the reels 50, 60 may also include a brake. Figure 3 As shown, the support system includes a brake roller 53, which can be selectively moved from a rest position (shown in dotted lines) to an operating position in contact with a motorized support roller 54. The function of the brake roller 53 is to assist the motorized support roller 54, in particular to prevent or slow down the undesired rotation of the corrugated paper roll or flat paper roll 60. For example, as described above, in the case where the motorized support roller 54 is at rest, but the corrugated paper roll 50 tends to rotate due to inertial forces or traction applied by the corrugated paper belt 2, the brake roller 53 in the operating position prevents any rotation of the motorized support roller 54.

[0058] Obviously, embodiments of the support system and brakes different from those described and shown here can be envisioned. For example, but not limited to, both support rollers 52, 54 can be motorized, or both support rollers 52, 54 can be idle. Similarly, it is envisioned that brakes are provided on both support rollers 52, 54, or that brakes are provided only on the idle support roller 52.

[0059] The corrugated board production equipment 10 may also include: a system that continuously detects the tension of the corrugated paper 2 and flat paper 4 when unrolled from the respective reels 50, 60; and a system that continuously applies a driving force to the motorized support roller 54 even when the weight of the reel is low.

[0060] according to Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the device includes a guide wheel 70 for the flat paper storage device and a guide wheel for the corrugated paper storage device. The guide wheel 70 is a device for controlling the tension of the corrugated paper belt 2 and the flat paper belt 4. The guide wheel 70 has a dual function. The first function is to apply a reaction force that can be adjusted by means of the drive belt and causes the speed of the corrugated paper belt 2 to be unwound from the corrugated paper reel 50 to slow down. This force can be adjusted according to predetermined parameters and production requirements. The second function is to increase or decrease the unwinding speed of the corrugated paper belt 2 according to the position in order to keep the tension of the corrugated paper belt 2 constant.

[0061] In other words, the guide wheel 70 operates with a fixed pressure that depends on the tension to be applied to the paper. The position of the guide wheel 70 determines the correction of the speed of the motorized roller 54 to keep the position of the guide wheel stable. When the reels 50, 60 begin to lose weight as the corrugated paper 2 and flat paper 4 are unwound, their weight decreases accordingly. In this case, there is a risk that the paper loses its adhesion on the motorized roller 54, so that the tension and speed control are no longer effective.

[0062] Although the functions performed by the guide wheel 70 are particularly useful for improving the quality of the produced corrugated board and reducing creases, the guide wheel 70 is not an essential feature of the present invention. In addition, different embodiments are also conceivable if the tension control device is present.

[0063] With the invention, various embodiments can be provided depending on the type of final product to be manufactured, such as a single corrugated board, multiple single corrugated boards (but with specifications or grammages different from each other), or even a double corrugated board, while maintaining the same advantages, such as extreme versatility, compact dimensions, greater simplicity and low installation and maintenance costs.

[0064] For example, according to Figure 4 In another embodiment of the present invention, the corrugated board production equipment comprises two corrugated board production equipments 10, 10' arranged side by side to produce two single-wave corrugated boards 6, 6' with different specifications and gram weights. Figure 4 As shown, the corrugated board production plants 10, 10' comprise all the features described so far. The first plant 10 produces a first single wave corrugated board 6 at its output, while the second plant 10' produces a second single wave corrugated board 6' at its output.

[0065] According to another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the device for producing corrugated cardboard includes a corrugated cardboard production device 10, a second storage device and an additional connection group, the second storage device is used for corrugated cardboard strips, and the additional connection group is arranged downstream of the connection group 40 so as to connect the single wave cardboard 6 produced by the corrugated cardboard production device 10 with the corrugated cardboard strips of the second storage device during use.

[0066] According to further embodiments of the present invention, the elements described thus far may be configured to further reduce the overall size of the corrugated board production facility. Figure 5 As shown, the corrugated board production equipment 100 includes a support structure, such as but not limited to a support frame 20. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 20 extends vertically and includes at least one pair of side columns 22 and two horizontal surfaces 24 , 24 ′ connected to the side columns 22 . Figure 5 The illustrated frame defines three operating areas, namely, an upper area 25 disposed above a second intermediate operating area 27 which in turn is disposed above a third operating area 29 .

[0067] According to a possible variant of the invention, the supporting frame 20 may also comprise upper and / or lateral covering walls, so that the three operating areas 25 , 27 , 29 form a closed compartment.

[0068] The corrugated board production plant 100 also comprises two coupling groups, generally indicated by the numerals 40, 40' and adapted to form single-wave corrugated board 6, 6' by coupling together the corrugated web 2 and the continuous flat web 4 during use.

[0069] Each coupling group 40, 40' may include a glue applicator and a press group 30, 30'. The glue applicator is suitable for applying a layer of adhesive substance such as glue to the corrugated paper strip 4, preferably to the crests of the corrugated paper strip 2. The press group 30, 30' is suitable for stabilizing the coupling between the continuous corrugated paper strip 2 and the continuous flat paper strip 4.

[0070] As mentioned above, each press group also forms a traction system 30, 30' for traction of each corrugated paper web 2 and the continuous flat paper web 4 by means of a pair of belts 42 or pressure rollers.

[0071] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the two press groups 30 , 30 ′ are identical to one another, but it is obviously possible to envisage embodiments with press groups that are different from one another and technically identical to the press group described here.

[0072] For the sake of brevity, the above reference Figures 1 to 4 The description of the coupling groups 40, 40', the glue applicators and adhesive substances, and the press groups provided in the embodiments of the present invention are incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] Obviously, different embodiments of the coupling set than those described here may be envisaged.

[0074] according to Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the inlet of each press group 30, 30' faces the respective glue applicator.

[0075] according to Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, both the coupling groups 40, 40' are arranged in the lower operating area 29. One of the coupling groups 40 is vertically offset relative to the coupling group 40'. Due to this configuration, the overall size of the corrugated board production equipment can be reduced while producing, for example but not limited to, two single-wave corrugated boards 6, 6' having different specifications or grammages from each other.

[0076] The corrugated board production device 10 comprises a first corrugated paper storage device. Preferably, the first storage device comprises a reel 50 on which a continuous corrugated paper strip 2 is wound. The corrugated board production device 10 comprises a second storage device for flat paper 4. Preferably, the second storage device comprises a reel 60 on which a continuous flat paper strip 4 is wound.

[0077] according to Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, both the corrugated paper reel 50 and the flat paper reel 60 are disposed above the coupling groups 40 , 40 ′. For example, both the corrugated paper reel 50 and the flat paper reel 60 are disposed in the middle operation area 27 .

[0078] The corrugated board production apparatus 10 also includes a system for supporting the reels 50, 60, and a guide wheel 70. For the sake of simplicity, the above reference Figures 1 to 4 The description of the support system of the reels 50, 60 and the guide wheel 70 provided in the embodiments of the present invention is incorporated herein by reference.

[0079] The corrugated board production equipment 10 further includes a second corrugated paper storage device. Preferably, the second corrugated paper storage device includes a reel 150, on which a continuous corrugated paper strip 2 is wound. The corrugated board production equipment 10 further includes a second storage device for flat paper 4. Preferably, the second flat paper storage device includes a reel 160, on which a continuous flat paper strip 4 is wound.

[0080] The corrugated board production plant 10 also includes an additional support system for each of the reels 150, 160 and a corresponding guide wheel 170. For the sake of brevity, the above reference Figures 1 to 4 The description of the support system of the reels 150, 160 and the guide wheel 170 provided in the embodiments of the present invention is incorporated herein by reference.

[0081] According to the illustrated embodiment, both the corrugated paper reel 150 and the flat paper reel 160 are disposed above the corrugated paper tape reel 50 and the flat paper tape reel 60. For example, both the corrugated paper reel 150 and the flat paper reel 160 are disposed in the upper operation area 25.

[0082] according to Figure 5 In the structure of the corrugated board production equipment 10 shown, the corrugated board tape 2 of the reel 150 of the second storage device and the flat paper tape 4 of the reel 160 are fed into the first connection group 40' to form a first single-wave corrugated board 6', while the corrugated board tape 2 of the reel 50 of the first storage device and the flat paper tape 4 of the reel 60 are fed into the second connection group 40 to form a second single-wave corrugated board 6.

[0083] During use, with any of the embodiments described above, the device according to the invention is used to produce cardboard "on demand", i.e. cardboard with predetermined dimensions, in order to be able to provide containers, such as boxes, with predetermined dimensions, wherein these dimensions are modified in each case as required, i.e. "on demand". For this purpose, unlike cardboard production devices of known type, the device must be able to operate in a "start and stop" mode, i.e. start to produce a first required cardboard, stop operation to wait for a new request, and then start again to produce a second required cardboard.

[0084] Thus, the method for producing paperboard "on demand" comprises the following steps:

[0085] A coupling group 40, a flat paper roll 60, a corrugated paper roll 50 and a system for supporting the rolls 50, 60 are provided, the system including a pair of support rollers 52, 54;

[0086] Start unwinding the flat paper strip 4 and the corrugated paper strip 2 from the reels 50 and 60;

[0087] The flat paper strip 4 and the corrugated paper strip 2 unrolled from the reels 50 and 60 are transferred to the connection group 40;

[0088] Joining the flat paper belt 4 and the corrugated paper belt 2 together to form single wave corrugated paperboard 6, 6'; and

[0089] The unwinding of the flat paper strip 4 and the corrugated paper strip 2 from the reels 50 , 60 is interrupted.

[0090] According to a further embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0091] providing a traction system 30; and

[0092] The flat paper tape 4 and the corrugated paper tape 2 are pulled toward the coupling group 40 , and the flat paper tape 4 and the corrugated paper tape 2 are unwound from the reels 50 , 60 .

[0093] According to a particularly advantageous feature, the method also comprises a step of applying a layer of adhesive substance to the corrugated web 2 before joining it to the flat web 4 .

[0094] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the method may comprise the step of activating motorized support rollers to counteract the rotation of the reels 50, 60 after interrupting the step of unwinding the flat paper strip 4 and the corrugated paper strip 2 from the reels 50, 60.

[0095] According to this embodiment, the method may include the step of activating motorized support rollers to facilitate the rotation of the reels 50 , 60 before starting the step of unwinding the flat paper strip 4 and the corrugated paper strip 2 from the reels 50 , 60 .

Claims

1. A corrugated board production device (10), comprising: - a coupling group (40) adapted to form a single-wave corrugated board (6, 6') by coupling together a corrugated paper strip (2) and a continuous flat paper strip (4); and - storage devices for flat paper (60) and storage devices for corrugated paper (50), Characterized in that the flat paper storage device (60) and the corrugated paper storage device (50) are reels, and the device also includes a support system (47, 58) for the reels (50, 60), and the support system (47, 58) includes a pair of support rollers (52, 54).

2. The corrugated board production equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coupling group (40) comprises a traction system (30), and the traction system (30) is used to pull the corrugated paper tape (2) and the continuous flat paper tape (4) so ​​as to unwind the corrugated paper tape (2) and the continuous flat paper tape (4) from the reel.

3. The corrugated board production equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support system (48, 58) is disposed below the reel (50, 60), and the reel (50, 60) is disposed on the pair of support rollers (52, 54).

4. The corrugated board production equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flat paper storage device (60) and the corrugated paper storage device (50) are vertically staggered relative to the connection group (40).

5. The corrugated board production equipment (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The corrugated paperboard production equipment (10) comprises a support structure (20), wherein the support structure (20) defines two operating areas, namely an upper area (26) and a lower area (28), the flat paper storage device (60) and the corrugated paper storage device (50) are arranged in the upper operating area (26), and the connection group (40) is arranged in the lower operating area (28).

6. The corrugated board production equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coupling group (40) includes a glue applicator (32, 34).

7. The corrugated board production equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one of the two support rollers (52, 54) is a motorized support roller (54).

8. The corrugated board production equipment (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The support system includes a brake (53).

9. A method for producing paperboard "on demand", the method comprising the following steps: - providing a coupling group (40), a flat paper reel (60), a corrugated paper reel (50) and a system for supporting the reels (50, 60), the system comprising a pair of supporting rollers (52, 54); - starting to unwind the flat paper strip (4) and the corrugated paper strip (2) from the reels (50, 60); - transferring the flat paper tape (4) and the corrugated paper tape (2) unrolled from the reels (50, 60) to the coupling group (40); - joining the flat paper belt (4) and the corrugated paper belt (2) together to form a single-wave corrugated board (6, 6'); and - interrupting the unwinding of the flat paper strip (4) and the corrugated paper strip (2) from the reels (50, 60).

10. The method for producing paperboard "on demand" according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises the step of applying a layer of adhesive substance of the pressure-sensitive adhesive type onto the corrugated paper strip (2).

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