Method for attaching multiple knife holders to a longitudinal cutting machine, assembly kit for attaching multiple knife holders to a longitudinal cutting machine, knife holder, positioning bar and longitudinal cutting machine

Abstract

Method for attaching several knife holders (1) at a predetermined distance (2) from each other to a crossbeam (8) of a longitudinal cutting machine, comprising at least the following steps: - Provide at least two knife holders (1), - Providing at least one positioning strip (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) wherein the positioning strip (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) has at least two positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3), - Manufacture of an assembly unit (6.1, 6.2) by attaching the knife holders (1) to the positions on the positioning strip (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) specified by the positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3), wherein adjacent positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) on the positioning strip (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) specify the distance between adjacent knife holders (1), - Positioning the mounting unit (6.1, 6.2) on the traverse (8), - Fixing at least one knife holder (1) to the crossbar (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the attachment of several knife holders at a predetermined distance from one another to a crossbeam of a longitudinal slitting machine. Accordingly, a method for attaching several knife holders at a predetermined distance from one another to a crossbeam of a longitudinal slitting machine, an assembly kit for at least one assembly unit for attaching several knife holders at a predetermined distance from one another to a crossbeam of a longitudinal slitting machine, a knife holder, a positioning bar for several knife holders, and a longitudinal slitting machine are proposed.

[0002] DE 10 2014 105 375 A1 discloses, for example, a longitudinal cutting machine with a crossbeam to which several knife holders can be attached. To define the distance between adjacent knife holders, DE 10 2014 105 375 A1 proposes attaching an interchangeable strip to the crossbeam, which has several detent recesses. Detent pins attached to the knife holders engage in these detent recesses. The distance between adjacent knife holders is thus defined by the spacing of the detent recesses on the interchangeable strip. The knife holders are individually positioned against the crossbeam and fixed to it by a clamping device arranged on each holder.

[0003] To change the spacing between adjacent knife holders, the clamping device may first need to be loosened, each knife holder removed from the crossbeam, the strip with the locking notches replaced, and then each knife holder individually reattached to the crossbeam in its position determined by the locking notches, after which the clamping device is tightened. This solution has the disadvantage that the crossbeam, which is a fixed component of a longitudinal slitting machine, must be adjusted or modified to accommodate the strip.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described with reference to the prior art and in particular to provide a method, an assembly kit, a positioning strip, a knife holder and a longitudinal cutting machine with which adjacent knife holders can be attached to a longitudinal cutting machine at a predetermined distance in an alternative manner and preferably in a retrofittable manner.

[0005] Possible solutions to this problem are specified in the independent claims, with advantageous embodiments described in the dependent claims and in the description. Individual features of the advantageous embodiments can be combined in a technically meaningful manner. Features described with reference to the method are applicable to the assembly kit, the positioning bar, the knife holder, and the longitudinal cutting machine, and vice versa.

[0006] In particular, a method for attaching several knife holders at a predetermined distance from each other to a crossbeam of a longitudinal cutting machine is proposed, wherein the method in particular comprises at least some of the following steps: - Providing at least two, preferably at least three or even at least four knife holders, - Providing at least one positioning bar, wherein the positioning bar or each positioning bar has at least two positive locking configurations, - Manufacturing an assembly unit by attaching the knife holders to the positions on the positioning strip specified by the positive locking features, wherein adjacent positive locking features on the positioning strip define the distance between adjacent knife holders, - Positioning the mounting unit on the traverse and - Fixing at least one knife holder to the traverse at the distance between the knife holders specified by the positioning bar, in particular by actuating a clamping device provided on at least one knife holder.

[0007] A mounting kit for at least one assembly unit for attaching several knife holders at a predetermined distance from each other to a crossbeam of a longitudinal cutting machine is also proposed, wherein the mounting kit in particular comprises at least two knife holders and at least one positioning bar, wherein the positioning bar has at least two positive locking features and the knife holders can be attached to the positioning bar at the positions specified by the positive locking features to produce an assembly unit, wherein adjacent positive locking features on the positioning bar define the distance between adjacent knife holders.

[0008] Furthermore, an invention is seen in a corresponding positioning strip for attaching at least two knife holders to a traverse of a longitudinal cutting machine, wherein the positioning strip has at least two positive locking designs, with each of which a knife holder can be attached at a position specified by the positive locking designs.

[0009] A further invention relates to a knife holder comprising at least a housing, a knife head for holding a circular knife, and a clamping device for fixing the knife holder to a longitudinal cutting machine, wherein the knife holder has at least one positive-locking feature for a precise connection with a positive-locking feature of a positioning strip. The positive-locking feature can, for example, be arranged in or on the housing of the knife holder. However, the positive-locking feature can also be provided in or on another component of the knife holder.

[0010] Furthermore, an invention is described in a longitudinal slicing machine with a crossbeam and several knife holders, wherein the knife holders can be attached to the crossbeam at a distance from one another, and wherein the longitudinal slicing machine has at least one positioning bar, the positioning bar having at least two positive locking features, each defining the position of a knife holder, wherein adjacent positive locking features on the positioning bar define the distance between adjacent knife holders, and wherein the positioning bar can be positioned on the crossbeam together with the knife holders. At least one positioning bar, or the single positioning bar, can remain in its position attached to several knife holders after the knife holders have been fixed to the crossbeam, or it can be removed from the knife holders.

[0011] It is specifically proposed that by attaching at least two knife holders to at least one positioning bar, an assembly unit, conceived as a cassette or package, is pre-assembled. The knife holders thus pre-assembled within this assembly unit are then positioned together / simultaneously on the crossbeam of the longitudinal slitting machine. The distance between the knife holders is precisely determined by the spacing of the positive-locking elements on the at least one positioning bar. By providing a positive-locking element, the position of the knife holders, and therefore their distance from each other, is precisely defined even before the knife holders are attached to the crossbeam. It is therefore no longer necessary to adjust the position of the knife holders individually on the crossbeam. Consequently, the distance between the knife holders can also be independent of the crossbeam's design.The positioning bar and / or the knife holders can be designed and, in particular, arranged in relation to each other in such a way that the pre-assembled mounting unit can be attached to known crossbeams.

[0012] A positive locking design is particularly effective when the shape of the positioning strip predetermines the position of the knife holder to such an extent that, after attachment to the positioning strip, the knife holder cannot move along the positioning strip due to its shape. For example, the positive locking design can be formed by a recess, in which a section of the knife holder, when attached to the positioning strip, is positioned in the recess in such a way that the knife holder cannot move along the positioning strip. The recess can, for example, be designed as a hole in the positioning strip or be located at an edge of the positioning strip and thus be open on one side. Such a positioning strip can also be used with known knife holders without requiring any modification of the knife holders.

[0013] A positive locking design can preferably be formed by at least one projection, wherein, in particular, the knife holders each have at least one corresponding recess for receiving the at least one projection. For example, the projection on the positioning bar can have a rectangular or round cross-section, in which case the knife holders have a round or square recess into which the at least one projection can be inserted with a precise fit. Such a recess falls under the general term of a positive locking design, which can also be designed as a thread or a simple hole. Alternatively, a positive locking design on the knife holder can be realized by a projection, in which case the positive locking design on the positioning bar is, for example, designed as a recess complementary to the projection.Each individual knife holder therefore has a positive locking feature, for example, a recess or projection. Adjacent to this positive locking feature, the knife holder may have a recess for receiving the positioning strip, so that the positioning strip does not protrude beyond the outer contour of the knife holder in the area overlapping it. The recess is thus formed, in particular, within a housing of the knife holder.

[0014] At least if only one positioning bar is provided for a mounting unit, a fixing element should be provided which fixes the knife holders to the positioning bar.

[0015] The locking element can be formed, for example, by the positive locking design of the positioning strip or by the positive locking design of the knife holder itself. For instance, an elastically designed projection with a hook-like feature can be provided. When the projection is inserted into the recess in the knife holder (or in the positioning strip), the hook is deflected and, in the installed state, engages an undercut formed in the recess. The projection forming the positive locking design for defining the position of the knife holder on the positioning strip is thus simultaneously an elastically deflectable locking element. Alternatively, an elastically deflectable locking element can be arranged / designed on the knife holder, which can interact with the positive locking design for fixation.

[0016] In this context, it is preferred if a positive locking design or a positive locking configuration has at least two elastically deflectable projections that can be inserted together into a recess in order to fix the positioning strip on the knife holder.

[0017] However, it is also possible to provide a separate locking element for the positive locking mechanism, which secures the knife holder to the positioning bar after it has been precisely positioned. Such a separate locking element can also be provided in addition to the positive locking mechanism. This separate locking element could, for example, be a screw that is inserted through an opening in the positioning bar and screwed into a thread on the knife holder.

[0018] In principle, it is sufficient if exactly one positioning strip is provided for each assembly unit. However, for better alignment of the knife holders relative to each other and for easier positioning on the crossbeam, it is proposed that a positioning strip group be provided for each assembly unit, comprising at least two, preferably exactly two, positioning strips, wherein each positioning strip has at least two positive locking features for defining the position of the knife holders, the distance between the positive locking features of the at least two positioning strips of a positioning strip group defining the same distance between adjacent knife holders.

[0019] For example, a first positioning strip of a positioning strip group can be arranged on the side of the knife holder facing the crossbeam when attached to the longitudinal cutting machine. A positive locking feature (recess) of the knife holder is thus formed on the side of the clamping device, preferably in an area that is covered by the crossbeam when attached.

[0020] Alternatively, a first positioning strip or a further positioning strip of a positioning strip group can be arranged on the side of the knife holder facing away from the crossbeam when attached to the crossbeam. A positive locking feature (recess) of the knife holder is therefore formed on the side facing away from the clamping device.

[0021] In principle, it would be conceivable for all knife holders of a longitudinal cutting machine to be pre-assembled into a single assembly unit using at least one positioning bar. However, it is also possible to arrange at least two knife holders, each spaced apart from one another by at least one positioning bar, along the crossbeam. In this case, the assembly kit comprises at least two positioning bars. To ensure precise spacing of knife holders from different assembly units, the positioning bars, when attached to the crossbeam, can abut each other with their facing end faces. Accordingly, at least two assembly units are arranged on one crossbeam of a longitudinal cutting machine.

[0022] To change the spacing between adjacent knife holders, the knife holders are first removed from the crossbeam. This can be done as a single assembly if the clamping devices of all knife holders are released. The removed knife holders, or another group of knife holders, are then attached to at least one further positioning rail. The interlocking features of this further positioning rail have a different spacing than the interlocking features of the previously used positioning rail.

[0023] If a large number of knife holders are available, an assembly unit can be pre-assembled while other knife holders are still in operation in the longitudinal slitting machine. This allows for quick changing of the knife holders and adjustment of different spacings. Accordingly, the assembly kit has at least two positioning bar groups, each with at least one positioning bar. The positioning bar(s) of one positioning bar group differ from the at least one positioning bar of another positioning bar group by the distance between the positive locking elements.

[0024] The knife holders are specifically designed to hold a circular blade (such as a crushing knife, scissor blade, or razor blade) for crushing or hot cutting. Each knife holder features a rotatably mounted knife head. Furthermore, each knife holder may include a clamping device for securing it to the crossbeam of the longitudinal cutting machine. The knife holder may also incorporate a drive mechanism for rotating or lowering the knife head.

[0025] The crossbeam of the longitudinal cutting machine can, for example, have a dovetail-shaped cross-section. The clamping device preferably has a shape complementary to the crossbeam, so that the knife holder is displaceable along the crossbeam, and includes a locking element to be actuated for securing the knife.

[0026] Such a longitudinal cutting machine can be used, for example, to cut materials such as double-sided adhesive tape, carrying handles, or battery foil.

[0027] The invention and its technical context are explained below using the figures as examples. They show schematic representations. Fig. 1: A perspective view of two assembly units arranged side by side, Fig. 2: a perspective view of the mounting units attached to a truss, Fig. 3: a positioning bar for the assembly units, Fig. 4: a detailed view of a first form-fitting design of the positioning strip, Fig. 5: a detailed view of a second positive locking design of the positioning strip and Fig. 6: A side view of a mounting unit attached to a traverse.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a first pre-assembled assembly unit 6.1 and a second pre-assembled assembly unit 6.2 in a perspective view.

[0029] The assembly units 6.1 and 6.2 each comprise three knife holders 1, arranged at a distance 2 from each other. The first assembly unit 6.1 comprises a first positioning bar group 3.1 with positioning bar 4.1a and positioning bar 4.1b. The second assembly unit 6.2 comprises a second positioning bar group 3.2 with positioning bars 4.2a and 4.2b.

[0030] The assembly units 6.1 and 6.2 can be installed in the Fig. The knife holders 1, as depicted in Figure 1, are placed on a crossbeam 8 of a longitudinal cutting machine and fixed to the crossbeam 8 by tightening clamping devices 7. The advantage here is that the distance 2 between the knife holders 1 is predetermined by the positive locking mechanisms on the positioning strips, which are explained in more detail below. Thus, several knife holders 1 can be attached to the crossbeam 8 together with a predefined distance 2. Fig. Figure 2 shows the two assembly units 6.1 and 6.2 in a state attached to the traverse 8 of a longitudinal cutting machine.

[0031] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the first positioning strip 4.1a, which has three positive locking configurations 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. As a rule, all positive locking configurations of a positioning strip have the same geometric design. To illustrate the different possibilities for creating positive locking configurations, the three positive locking configurations 5.1 to 5.3 are shown in the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 3 differently designed.

[0032] Thus, the in Fig. Figure 4 shows the first positive locking design 5.1 in detail, with two projections extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the positioning strip 4.1a. The knife holder, not shown in detail, has recesses shaped according to the outer circumferential design of the two projections as a positive locking feature, so that the two projections fit precisely into the recess. To fix the knife holder 1 to the positioning strip 4.1a, a screw can be inserted through the hole shown in Figure 5.1 and screwed into a thread in the knife holder.

[0033] The in Fig. The second form-fitting design, shown in detail in section 5.2, comprises two elastically deflectable projections that can be inserted into a corresponding recess on a knife holder to form a form-fitting connection. When the projections are inserted into the recess, they are deflected towards each other and can snap back into place after reaching their final position, thus creating a snap-fit ​​or click-fit connection between the knife holder and the positioning strip 4.1a.

[0034] The third form-fitting design 5.3 is a simple rectangular projection that can be inserted into a corresponding recess in the knife holder 1.

[0035] The distance between adjacent positive locking designs 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 on the positioning strip thus determines the exact distance 2 between two adjacent knife holders 1 attached to the positioning strip.

[0036] Thus, the knife holders can be arranged at a desired distance 2 from each other before being attached to the traverse 8 of the longitudinal cutting machine, whereby after attachment to the traverse 8 only a locking action by actuating the clamping device 7 is required.

[0037] Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of a knife holder 1 of an assembly unit 6.2 in a state attached to the traverse 8. From the Fig. Figure 6 shows, firstly, the design of the clamping device 7, which has a shape corresponding to the traverse 8 and can fix the knife holder 1 to the traverse 8 by means of a fixing element.

[0038] Furthermore, it can be seen that a housing 10 of the knife holder 1 has a recess 12 on both the side facing the crossbeam 8 and the side facing away from the crossbeam 8, in which a positioning strip 4.2a or 4.2b is arranged, respectively. The in Fig. Six non-visible positive-locking features of the positioning strips 4.2a, 4.2b engage in a positive-locking feature designed as a recess, which is formed in the knife holder 1 adjacent to the recess 12. Since the recesses 12 allow the positioning strips 4.2a, 4.2b not to protrude beyond the outer contour of the knife holder 1, a positioning strip 4.2a can also be arranged on the side facing the crossbeam 8 without the need to modify the crossbeam 8. Reference symbol list 1 knife holder 2 Distance 3.1 First positioning bar group 3.2 second positioning bar group 4.1a Positioning bar 4.1b Positioning bar 4.2a Positioning bar 4.2b Positioning bar 5.1 First form-fitting design 5.2 Second form-fitting design 5.3 Third form-fitting design 6.1 First assembly unit 6.2 second assembly unit 7 Clamping device 8 traverse 9 circular knives 10 cases 11 Cutter head 12 recesses

Claims

Method for attaching several knife holders (1) at a predetermined distance (2) from each other to a crossbeam (8) of a longitudinal slitting machine, comprising at least the following steps: - providing at least two knife holders (1), - providing at least one positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b), wherein the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) has at least two positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3), - producing an assembly unit (6.1, 6.2) by attaching the knife holders (1) to the positions on the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) specified by the positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3), wherein adjacent positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) on the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) specify the distance between adjacent knife holders (1),- Positioning the mounting unit (6.1, 6.2) on the crossbeam (8),- Fixing at least one knife holder (1) to the crossbeam (8). Method according to claim 1, wherein, in order to change the distance (2) of adjacent knife holders (1), the knife holders (1) are removed from the traverse (8) and attached to at least one further positioning strip, the positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) of which have a different distance to each other than the previously used positioning strip (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b). Assembly kit for at least one assembly unit (6.1, 6.2) for attaching several knife holders (1) at a predetermined distance (2) from each other to a crossbeam (8) of a longitudinal cutting machine, comprising: - at least two knife holders (1) and - at least one positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b), wherein the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) has at least two positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3), wherein the knife holders (1) can be attached to the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) at the positions on the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) specified by the positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) to form an assembly unit (6.1, 6.2), wherein adjacent positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) on the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) specify the distance (2) between adjacent knife holders (1), wherein the attachment of at least two knife holders (1) to the at least one positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) creates a mounting unit (6.1, 6.2) is pre-assembled, wherein the knife holders (1) of an assembly unit (6.1, 6.2) pre-assembled can be positioned together and simultaneously on the traverse (8) of the longitudinal cutting machine. Assembly kit according to claim 3, wherein for each assembly unit (6.1, 6.2) a positioning strip group (3.1, 3.2) with at least two positioning strips (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) is provided, wherein the positioning strips (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) each have at least two positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) for specifying the position of the knife holders (1). Assembly kit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least two positioning strip groups (3.1, 3.2) are provided, each with at least one positioning strip (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b), wherein the positioning strip(s) (4.1a, 4.1b) of one positioning strip group (3.1) differ from the at least one positioning strip (4.2a, 4.2b) of another positioning strip group (3.2) by the distance (2) between the positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3). Assembly kit according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) are each designed as at least one projection. Assembly kit according to claim 6, wherein the knife holders (1) each have at least one recess for receiving the at least one projection. Assembly kit according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the positive locking designs (5.2) comprise at least one elastically deflectable fixing element. Assembly kit according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein a separate fixing element is provided which fixes a knife holder (1) to a positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b). Positioning strip (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) of an assembly kit according to one of claims 3 to 9, for attaching at least two knife holders (1) to a crossbeam (8) of a longitudinal cutting machine, wherein the positioning strip (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) has at least two positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) with which each knife holder (1) can be attached at a position specified by the positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3). A knife holder (1) of an assembly kit according to one of claims 3 to 9, comprising at least a housing (10), a cutter head (11) for holding a circular knife (9), and a clamping device (7) for fixing the knife holder (1) to a longitudinal slicing machine, characterized in that the knife holder (1) has at least one positive locking feature for connection with a positive locking feature (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) of a positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b), wherein by attaching at least two knife holders (1) to the at least one positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) a mounting unit (6.1, 6.2) is pre-assembled, wherein the knife holders (1) of a mounting unit (6.1, 6.2) thus pre-assembled can be positioned jointly and simultaneously on the traverse (8) of the longitudinal slicing machine. Knife holder according to claim 11, wherein the knife holder has a recess (12) adjacent to the positive locking feature for receiving the positioning strip (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b). Longitudinal slicing machine with a crossbeam (8) and several knife holders (1) which are mounted on the crossbeam (8) at a distance (2) from each other, characterized in that the longitudinal slicing machine has at least one positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b), wherein the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) has at least two positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) which each define a position of a knife holder (1), wherein adjacent positive locking features (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) on the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) define the distance (2) between adjacent knife holders (1), wherein the positioning bar (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) together with the knife holders (1) are positioned on the traverse (8) and can be removed from the traverse (8) as a mounting unit (6.1, 6.2). longitudinal cutting machine according to claim 13, wherein a positioning bar (4.1a, 4.2a) is arranged on one of the sides of the knife holder (1) facing the traverse (8). longitudinal cutting machine according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a positioning bar (4.1b, 4.2b) is arranged on one side of the knife holder (1) facing away from the traverse (8). Longitudinal cutting machine according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein at least two mounting units (6.1, 6.2) are arranged on the traverse (8). longitudinal cutting machine according to claim 16, wherein the positioning bars (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, 4.2b) of adjacent assembly units (6.1, 6.2) abut each other with their end faces.

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