Switch and ejection device and method for blanks

Abstract

A switching device (130) for transferring and ejecting a plate-shaped element (20) in a sorting unit (100) comprises: – transport means (132) that are able to move (A) the plate-shaped element (20) from upstream to downstream; – a pivot (134) positioned at the level of an upstream portion of the transport means (132) and allowing the transport means (132) to pivot about a horizontal transverse axis (R2); and – lifting means (135) that are secured at the level of a downstream portion of the transport means (132) so as to make the downstream portion of the transport means (132) pivot between an upper first position and a lower second position and vice versa, so as to switch the plate-shaped element (20) respectively upward and downward.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device which carries out the switching of one or more removed plate elements in order to separate them and eject them from the normal processing circuit, while the plate elements circulate continuously at the outlet of a processing machine. The ejected plate elements are used, for example, for inspection and / or for their disposal. The invention also relates to a switching and ejection method for plate elements.

[0002] Machines for processing sheet elements are used in the field of packaging manufacturing, and in particular packaging made from sheets or strips, including sheet elements of paper, plastic or cardboard, whether flat or corrugated. These may be machines that carry out processing of these sheet elements, namely for example cutting, grooving, embossing and printing. They may also be machines carrying out such processing and also, subsequently, folding and gluing operations in order to form a folding box in line. State of the art

[0003] In prior art machines this ejection is carried out by stopping the machine to manually remove the plate element to be rejected. In other cases, a systematic inspection is carried out continuously of each individual cut as the latter passes through a module dedicated to control, for example visual control.

[0004] This involves switching and ejecting, by removing from the normal processing circuit, on demand or cyclically, at least one plate element forming a reject. Such switching of the normal processing circuit is in particular implemented downstream of a printing machine, in the case of printing carried out on the upper face of the plate element, without contact with the upper face of the plate element so as not to damage this upper face. Such switching of the normal processing circuit can also be implemented at another location in the normal processing circuit, to set aside the non-compliant plate element(s).

[0005] Document EP2213449 discloses a device for removing non-compliant cartons from a converting machine. The device comprises a sorting unit with a pivoting conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is movable between a transport position and a discharge position. Statement of the invention

[0006] An aim of the present invention is to propose a switching device and a switching and ejection method, for transferring a plate element from an upstream module to a first downstream module or a second downstream module located below the first downstream module.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a switching device and a switching and ejection method allowing the continuous advancement of the plate elements, without slowing down the advancement speed of the plate elements, in order to continue the processing steps normally for the non-ejected plate elements.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to enable switching to be carried out in the direction of either the first downstream module or the second downstream module, either on demand or according to a programmed frequency. The change of destination of the switch may occur, for example, after a single plate element is directed to the first downstream module or to the second downstream module, and before a successive series of plate elements is directed to the other downstream module, among the first downstream module and the second downstream module. This may also occur after a first series of plate elements is directed to the first downstream module or to the second downstream module, and before another successive series of plate elements is directed to the other downstream module among the first downstream module and the second downstream module.

[0009] For this purpose, the destination of the switching device is quickly and precisely changed so as not to hinder the proper functioning of the plate element processing machine.

[0010] According to the invention, a switching device for the transfer and ejection of a plate element in a sorting unit comprises: transport means, the transport means are capable of transporting the plate element from upstream to downstream; a pivot, the pivot is positioned at an upstream portion of the transport means, and the pivot allows the transport means to tilt relative to a horizontal transverse axis passing through the pivot; and lifting means, the lifting means are secured at a downstream portion of the transport means, to tilt the downstream portion of the transport means between a first high position and a second low position, and vice versa between a second low position and a first high position, so as to guide the plate element respectively upwards and downwards, characterized in that the transport means comprise a transfer belt, and in which said transfer belt is a vacuum belt and the transport means comprise a vacuum box.

[0011] This solution allows, by a simple pivot movement of the tilting part forming the means of transport, to direct the moving plate element either towards the first downstream module (first position of the means of transport) or towards the second downstream module (second position of the means of transport). The second low position is located below the first high position, just as the first high position is located above the second low position.

[0012] According to one variant, the means of transport have an upper face, which is substantially horizontal in the first high position, with this same upper face of the means of transport being inclined downwards downstream in the second low position of the downstream portion of the means of transport. According to another variant, the means of transport have an upper face, which is substantially horizontal in the second low position, with this same upper face of the means of transport being inclined upwards downstream in the first high position of the downstream portion of the means of transport.

[0013] This solution has the particular advantage over the prior art of not having to stop, or even slow down, the plate element processing machine to reject one or more plate elements. Thus, the plate element processing rate does not change. The number of successive plate elements directed to the first downstream module and the number of successive plate elements directed to the second downstream module can be distributed as desired.

[0014] The present invention further relates to a sorting unit, comprising a switching device as described and claimed, a first downstream module, an input of the first downstream module being located in the extension of the downstream end of the transport means, when the transport means are in the first high position, and a second downstream module, an input of the second downstream module being located in the extension of the downstream end of the transport means, when the transport means are in the second low position.

[0015] Such a sorting unit makes it possible to carry out different treatments of the plate elements in the same machine, depending on whether the plate element passes into the branch equipped with the first downstream module or into the branch equipped with the second downstream module.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a plate element processing machine equipped with a sorting unit, as described and claimed.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a method of switching a plate element at the outlet of a processing machine. The method comprises the steps of: moving a plate element by means of transport; lowering a downstream portion of the transport means, in order to change the position of the downstream end of the transport means, by tilting the transport means relative to a horizontal transverse axis; raising a downstream portion of the transport means, in order to change the position of the downstream end of the transport means, by tilting the transport means relative to the horizontal transverse axis.

[0018] Such a method can be implemented while the plate elements arrive continuously one behind the other on the upstream portion of the transport means. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which: there Figure 1 shows a sorting unit comprising a switching device according to the invention; the Figure 2 represents in perspective the switching device of the Figure 1 ; there Figure 3 is a perspective view of an eccentric shaft used in the switching device of the Figure 2 ; there Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first downstream module and the second downstream module of the sorting unit of the Figure 1 ; and the Figures 5 to 10 show different stages of operation of the switching device according to the invention.

[0020] The longitudinal direction is defined relative to the direction of transport of the plate elements. The transverse direction is defined as the direction orthogonal to the transverse direction and in the plane of transport of the plate elements. The upstream, and respectively the downstream, is defined as a rear, respectively front, position relative to the direction of transport of the plate element. Detailed disclosure of preferred embodiments

[0021] The 100 sorting unit illustrated on the Fig. 1 forms an assembly arranged at the outlet of a machine for processing plate elements 1. Such a sorting unit 100 is advantageously arranged downstream of a machine for printing plate elements, such as cardboard sheets. The advance of the plate element 20 in the processing machine 1 and in the sorting unit 100 is carried out from upstream to downstream, in the direction and the sense of the Arrow A, i.e. from right to left in the Figures.

[0022] The sorting unit 100 comprises, from upstream to downstream, an inlet 101, a switching device 130, a first downstream module 140, a second downstream module 150 and an outlet 102. The plate element 20 which is printed on its upper face arrives at the switching device 130.

[0023] The switching device 130 comprises transport means 132 forming a tilting part around a shaft 134 of axis R2 forming a pivot (see Figs. 1 And 2 ). The transport means 132 comprise a structure, pulleys and at least one transfer belt 133, such as an endless belt. For example, the transport means 132 comprise four transfer belts 133 which are placed in parallel with each other, in the upstream-downstream direction ( Fig. 2 ).

[0024] According to a preferred arrangement, the belt(s) 133 are vacuum belts forming a vacuum belt conveyor. Openings or perforations are provided in the belts 133 so that air suction takes place. The belt(s) 133 are associated with one or more vacuum boxes, which are connected to a vacuum source and which are arranged under the belt(s) 133. The use of vacuum boxes and belts 133 makes it possible to hold the plate elements 20 during their transport, the plate elements 20 being pressed against the belt(s) 133 without it being necessary to hold the plate elements 20 by their upper face. With at least one box and at least one vacuum belt 133, the switching device 130 will not touch the printed upper face of the plate elements 20. The printed upper face of the plate elements 20 is still fragile, the printing inks are not yet completely dried.

[0025] The axis R2, which is oriented in the transverse and horizontal direction, is located in an upstream or rear portion of the transport means 132. To allow this tilting movement, lifting means 135 are mechanically connected to the transport means 132, at a distance from the axis R2. All the transport means 132 are connected to the lifting means 135, so that the transfer belts 133 remain parallel to each other.

[0026] This parallelism exists in all positions of the switching device 130, in the first high position, the second low position or an intermediate position of the transport means 132. In all these positions, the upper face and the upper portion of all the transfer belts 133 remain in the same plane, extending between upstream and downstream. This upper face of the upper portion of the transfer belts 133 forms the receiving face of the plate element 20.

[0027] The lifting means 135 comprise an eccentric mechanism with a rotating eccentric shaft, of the camshaft type 131 shown in the Fig. 3 , which is intended to be placed in rotation relative to the R3 axis visible on the Fig. 2 . More precisely, the rotating eccentric shaft 131 has several eccentric sections 131a. At least one of the transport means 132 is secured to an eccentric section 131a, by means of an intermediate part 135a, of the slide type, fixed to the structure of each of the transport means 132. Indeed, in this case, four transport means 132 are present and each pair of transport means is arranged on the same eccentric section 131a. A central section and two non-eccentric end lateral sections 131b allow the shaft 131 to be held on bearings.

[0028] The switching device 130 is in the high position or first position, and makes it possible to transfer a plate element 20 passing over the switching device 130 to the first downstream module 140. The switching device 130 is in the low position or second position, and makes it possible to transfer a plate element 20 passing over the switching device 130 to the second downstream module 150.

[0029] When the operator wishes (manually or by programming the switching device 130) to modify the destination of the switching device 130, in order to divert one or more plate elements as rejects, the transport means 132 descend (Arrow D in Figs. 1 And 2). When the operator wishes (manually or by programming the switching device 130) to modify the destination of the switching device 130, in order to divert one or more plate elements for production purposes, the transport means 132 rise (Arrow U in Figs. 1 And 2 ). A motor drives the rotation of the shaft 131 provided on the axis R3 through a half turn (in one direction or the other).

[0030] For example, between the first high position ( Figs. 5 And 10 ) and the second low position ( Fig. 8 ) of the transport means 132, there is a tilt of the order of 5° of the upper portion of the transfer belts 133.

[0031] The first downstream module 140 is arranged above the second downstream module 150, both being mounted on the same frame ( Figs. 1 And 4). The first downstream module 140 is capable of driving a plate element 20 only from its lower face. Thus, since the first downstream module 140 does not come into contact with the upper face of the plate elements 20, the quality of the printing that was previously applied to the upper face of the plate elements 20 is preserved.

[0032] More specifically, the first downstream module 140 is capable of moving the plate element 20, arranged flat on one or more first downstream transfer belts 141. The first downstream transfer belts 141 are endless belts, in particular of the vacuum type, provided with openings or perforations so that air suction takes place. The first downstream transfer belt(s) 141 are associated with one or more vacuum boxes, which are connected to a vacuum source and which are arranged under the first downstream transfer belt(s) 141.

[0033] The use of a box and first downstream transfer belt 141 makes it possible to hold the plate elements 20 during their transport, the plate elements 20 being pressed against the belt(s) 141 without it being necessary to hold the plate elements 20 by their upper face. With at least one box and at least one vacuum belt 141, the printed upper face of the plate elements 20 will not be touched by the first downstream module 140. The printed upper face of the plate elements 20 is still fragile, the printing inks are not yet completely dried.

[0034] The first downstream transfer belts 141 transport the plate element 20 from upstream to downstream at a second circulation speed v2 greater than the first circulation speed v1 used for the switching device 130. In this way, when the plate element 20 arrives from the switching device 130 placed in its first position ( Fig. 5 ), this plate element 20 accelerates between speed v1 and speed v2, this increase in its forward speed making it possible to increase the distance with the following plate element 20' ( Fig. 7 ), to allow time for the transport means 132 to tilt downwards D and reach the height of the entrance to the second downstream module 150 before the front portion of the following plate element 20' protrudes from the switching device 130.

[0035] For example, the plate elements advance with a speed v1, an interval of a few millimeters is left between two plate elements 20 on the switching device 130. With an overspeed v2, a few milliseconds allow the transport means 132 to switch between the first position and the second position or vice versa between the second position and the first position. In view of the speeds and rates of movement for the transport means 132, the switching device 130 according to the invention forms a flipper-type ejector.

[0036] Then, the second downstream module 150 can have different configurations and uses. In particular, the second downstream module 150 is capable of conducting a plate element 20 from its lower face and / or from its upper face to a reject reception station 160 (see Fig. 1 ).

[0037] According to one embodiment, the second downstream module 150 is capable of moving the plate element 20, from upstream to downstream, according to a third circulation speed v3 greater than the first circulation speed v1 (see Fig. 8 ). This third circulation speed v3 constitutes an overspeed allowing the plate element 20' to be released more quickly from the switching device 130 in the second downstream module 150. This third circulation speed v3 may be equal to the second circulation speed v2. Thus, time is given to the transport means 132 to tilt upwards, from the second position to the first position, and arrive at the height of the entrance to the first downstream module 140 before the front portion of the next plate element 20" protrudes from the switching device 130 (see Figs. 9 and 10 ).

[0038] According to one embodiment, the second downstream module 150 allows the advancement of the plate element 20 arranged flat on a transfer belt. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit of a plate element 20 going to the reject passes through the switching device 130 with the transport means 132 in the second low position, and the second downstream module 150. Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiment, the second downstream module 150 comprises, to drive the plate element 20, pairs of second downstream endless belts 151 and 152 arranged opposite each other, and set in motion around drive rollers 153.

[0039] The pairs of second downstream endless belts 151 and 152 are offset relative to the first downstream transfer belts 141, and interposed between the first downstream transfer belts 141. This arrangement means that the first downstream module 140 and the second downstream module 150 are nested within each other, which makes the arrangement of the first downstream module 140 and the second downstream module 150 particularly compact in a single frame.

[0040] At this stage, the plate element 20 entering the second downstream module 150 is considered to be waste. The pairs of second downstream endless belts 151 and 152 will be able to catch, pinch, and transport between them the plate element 20, to the reject reception station 160, even if the printed upper face of the plate elements 20 is still fragile, and the printing inks are not yet completely dried.

[0041] The invention also relates to a method for directing the path of a plate element in a sorting unit 100 at the outlet of a processing machine 1, comprising the following steps: movement between upstream and downstream A, according to a first circulation speed v1, of a plate element 20 arranged flat on a mobile transfer belt 133 of the transport means 132 having a pivot 134 allowing the tilting U and D of the transport means 132 around a horizontal axis R2, in order to modify the position of the downstream portion of the transport means 132 between a first high position U and a second low position D, descent D of the downstream portion of the transport means 132 from the first position after the passage of at least half the length of a plate element 20, then ascent U of the downstream portion of the transport means 132 from the second position after the passage of the rear end of a plate element 20 on the downstream portion of the transport means 132,so that the downstream portion of the transport means 132 completes its ascent to the first position at the latest upon arrival of the front end of the following plate element 20' on the upstream end 101 of the transfer belt 133.,

[0042] In this process, depending on the destination of the plate element and the starting position, low or high, of the means of transport, the descent step can precede or follow the ascent step.

[0043] Accordingly, the present invention also covers a method for directing the path of a plate element 20 in a sorting unit at the outlet of a processing machine 1, comprising the following steps: movement between upstream and downstream A, according to a first circulation speed v1, of a plate element 20 arranged flat on a mobile transfer belt 133 of the transport means 132 having a pivot 134 allowing the tilting of the transport means 132 around a horizontal axis R2, in order to modify the position of the downstream portion of the transport means 132 between a first high position U and a second low position D, raising U of the downstream portion of the transport means 132, from the second position after the passage of the rear end of a plate element 20 on the downstream portion of the transport means 132, so that the downstream portion of the transport means 132 completes its raising towards the first position at the latest upon arrival of the front end of the following plate element 20' on the upstream end 101 of the transfer belt 133, then lowering D of the downstream portion of the transport means 132,from the first position after passing at least half the length of a plate element 20. ,

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated. Numerous modifications may be made, without departing from the scope defined by the scope of the set of claims.

Claims

1. Switching device (130) for transferring and ejecting a plate element (20) in a sorting unit (100), comprising: - transport means (132) capable of transporting (A) the plate element (20) from upstream to downstream; - a pivot (134) positioned in an upstream portion of the transport means (132), said pivot allowing the transport means (132) to tilt relative to a horizontal transverse axis (R2); and - raising means (135), secured in a downstream portion of the transport means (132), for tilting (U, D) the downstream portion of the transport means (132) between a high first position and a low second position, and vice versa, so as to switch the plate element (20), respectively upward and downward, characterised in that the transport means (132) comprises a transfer belt (133), and wherein said transfer belt is a vacuum belt and the transport means (132) comprises a vacuum box.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the raising means (135) comprises an eccentric mechanism.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the eccentric mechanism comprises a rotary shaft (131) having a plurality of eccentric sections (131a), each of the transport means (132) being connected to an eccentric section (131).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of transport means (132) placed in parallel, each of the transport means (132) having a transfer belt (133), the transport means (132) being secured to the raising means (135) so that the transfer belts (133) remain parallel to one another.

5. Sorting unit (100) comprising - a switching device (130) according to any one of the preceding claims, - a first downstream module (140), an inlet of the first downstream module (140) being situated in the extension of the downstream end of the transport means (132) when the transport means (132) is in the high first position, and - a second downstream module (150), an inlet of the second downstream module (150) being situated in the extension of the downstream end of the transport means (132) when the transport means (132) is in the low second position.

6. Unit according to claim 5, wherein the first downstream module (140) is capable of holding and guiding a plate element (20) by its bottom face.

7. Unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the transport means (132) of the switching device (130) is capable of transporting the plate element (20) at a first travel speed (v1), and the first downstream module (140) is capable of moving the plate element (20) at a second travel speed (v2) higher than the first travel speed (v1).

8. Unit according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the second downstream module (150) is capable of holding and guiding a plate element (20) by its bottom face and / or by its top face to a reject receiving station.

9. Unit according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the transport means (132) of the switching device (130) is capable of transporting the plate element (20) at a first travel speed (v1), and the second downstream module (150) is capable of moving the plate element (20) at a third travel speed (v3) higher than the first travel speed (v1).

10. Machine (1) for processing plate elements, said machine being equipped with a sorting unit (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 9.

11. Method for switching a plate element (20) at an output of a processing machine (1), comprising the steps of: - moving a plate element (20) using transport means (132), the transport means (132) comprising a transfer belt (133), and wherein said transfer belt is a vacuum belt and the transport means (132) comprises a vacuum box; - lowering (D) a downstream portion of the transport means (132), in order to modify the position of the downstream end of the transport means (132), by tilting the transport means (132) relative to a horizontal transverse axis (R2); - raising (U) a downstream portion of the transport means (132), in order to modify the position of the downstream end of the transport means (132), by tilting the transport means (132) relative to the horizontal transverse axis (R2).

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