Machine for joining sheet material, preferably cardboard

Abstract

Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), comprising a sheet-material joining station (2) arranged between two sheet-material storage regions (3, 4), and a control unit (5), the joining station (2) forming a guide path (6) for sheet material (20) that develops longitudinally from one of the storage regions (3, 4) to the other storage region, the guide path (6) comprising two edges (7) and, arranged between the edges (7), at least one driver (8) and a unit (9) for joining sheet material (20), each joining unit (9) comprising at least one gluing and / or stapling device (10). Each driver (8) comprises at least one drive member (81) and each joining unit (9) is an activatable / deactivatable unit, each joining unit (9) being in the inactive state when the at least one drive member (81) is in the driven state in one of the directions of rotation thereof.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Machine for joining sheet material, preferably cardboard

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for joining sheet material, preferably cardboard.

[0002] It relates in particular to a machine for joining sheet material, preferably cardboard, said machine comprising a sheet material joining station arranged between two sheet material storage areas and a control unit, said joining station providing a sheet material guidance path extending between the sheet material storage areas and extending longitudinally from one of the storage areas, referred to as the first storage area, to the other storage area, referred to as the second storage area, said guidance path comprising two edges and, arranged between said edges, at least one sheet material feeder and at least one sheet material joining group, each joining group comprising at least one gluing and / or stapling device, each feeder comprising at least one motor element.

[0003] A machine for joining sheet material is known as illustrated in US document 2003 / 022776.

[0004] Such a machine allows for the joining of edges of the same sheet material or the joining of two sheet materials, for example, to produce the four lateral faces of a rectangular box. In these prior art machines, the first storage area holds the sheet materials to be joined or assembled, while the second storage area holds the joined or assembled sheets. A visual inspection of the join is performed by the operator in the second storage area to verify that it is correctly made. If the join is incorrect, the operator initiates a new joining operation from the first storage area after making any necessary adjustments to the machine. The observation is that the join inspection step is time-consuming and tedious for the operator.

[0005] One aim of the invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned type whose design allows for time savings during the pre-setting of the machine before launching mass production.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a machine for joining sheet material, preferably cardboard, said machine comprising a sheet material joining station disposed between two sheet material storage areas and a control unit, said joining station providing a sheet material guidance path extending between the sheet material storage areas and running longitudinally from one of the storage areas, referred to as the first storage area, to the other storage area, referred to as the second storage area, said guidance path comprising two edges and, disposed between said edges, at least one sheet material feeder and at least one sheet material joining unit, each joining unit comprising at least one gluing and / or stapling device, each feeder comprising at least one drive element,characterized in that the drive element(s) of the drive unit(s) is a drive unit with two directions of rotation to allow the sheet material(s) to be moved from one storage area to the other storage area and vice versa, and in that the connecting group(s) is an activatable / deactivatable group, the connecting group(s) being in the inactive state when driven by each two-way drive unit in one of its directions of rotation. The ability of the drive element(s) of at least one of the drive units to rotate in two directions allows, under certain conditions, the return of one or more sheet materials from the second storage area, where the sheet material(s) for which at least one connection has been made are stored, to the first storage area. Thus,The operator can avoid any movement between the first and second storage zones, as was the case with prior art, since visual inspection can be carried out from the first storage zone without the operator having to leave this first storage zone, where the controls for the various machine settings are generally located. The operator can then visually inspect the, The quality of the splice(s) from the first storage area is improved without the need to move. This results in time savings and reduced operator fatigue. The ability to deactivate the splicing unit(s) allows for the safe transfer of sheet materials already spliced ​​at least once from the second storage area to the first storage area, meaning that these already assembled sheet materials do not undergo a further splicing operation.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the machine comprises a first operating mode, referred to as test mode, and a second operating mode, referred to as production mode, these operating modes being selectively activated. In production mode, each drive element with two directions of rotation of the drive unit(s) is driven in a single direction of rotation. This results in a high production rate.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured, in the activated state of test mode, to control the drive unit(s) with two directions of rotation of the drive unit(s) in a first direction of rotation corresponding to a drive moving the sheet material(s) from the first storage zone to the second storage zone, and in a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive moving the sheet material(s) from the second storage zone to the first storage zone. Each junction group is in the inactive state when the drive unit(s) with two directions of rotation are in the second direction of rotation. The second storage zone, located downstream of the junction station, is the storage zone for the sheet material(s) coming from the junction station. In this second storage zone, each sheet material has been subjected to at least one junction.The first storage area contains at least one sheet material requiring at least one joint. One or more sheet materials that have undergone at least one joint from the second storage area may be brought into this first storage area for a quality control check, generally visual, of said joint.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to, in the activated state of production mode, control each drive component to two directions of rotation of the or at least one of the trainers following a single direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in movement of the sheet material(s) from the first storage area to the second storage area and each junction group is in the active state.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the machine includes a manually operated test validation / invalidation system and the control unit is configured to control each drive element in two directions of rotation of the or at least one of the drivers and the or each junction group according to an operating cycle depending on the actuation of the test validation / invalidation system.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, in the activated state of the test mode, the control unit is configured to control each two-way rotating drive element of the or at least one of the drives and the or each junction group according to an operating cycle comprising a first phase during which each two-way rotating drive element of the or at least one of the drives is in the driven state moving in a first direction of rotation corresponding to a drive moving the sheet material(s) from the first storage area to the second storage area and the or each junction group is in the active state,a second phase during which each drive unit with two directions of rotation of the drive unit(s) is in the driven state, moving in a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive moving the sheet material(s) from the second storage zone to the first storage zone, and the junction group(s) is in the inactive state, said operating cycle comprising, in the actuated state of the test validation / invalidation system in the direction of test validation, a third phase during which each drive unit with two directions of rotation of the drive unit(s) is in the driven state, moving in a first direction of rotation corresponding to a drive moving the sheet material(s) from the first storage zone to the second storage zone, and the junction group(s) is in the inactive state. Thus, at the end of the second phase,The operator performs a visual inspection of the junction(s). If the junction(s) are, The operator activates the test validation / invalidation system to validate the test. This activation triggers a third phase during which each drive unit with two directions of rotation of the drive(s) is in the driven state, moving in the first direction of rotation. This corresponds to moving the sheet material(s) from the first storage zone to the second storage zone, and each joining group is in the inactive state. This third phase allows the assembled sheet material(s), meaning they have been joined and visually inspected, to be returned to the second storage zone. Mass production can then begin.Conversely, if one or more connections are non-compliant, the operator activates the test validation / invalidation system to invalidate the test. This activation of the test validation / invalidation system, after any necessary machine adjustments, triggers the first phase of a new operating cycle. These operating cycles, comprising the first and second phases, can be repeated as many times as necessary until the connection(s) are deemed correct by the operator. These operating cycles can be repeated without requiring the operator to move between the first and second storage areas, resulting in time savings.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the test mode is activated and the test validation / invalidation system is actuated in the direction of test validation, the control unit is configured to, at the end of the third phase, command the activation of production mode. The machine can thus automatically switch to production mode at the end of the third phase. When the test mode is activated and the test validation / invalidation system is actuated in the direction of test invalidation, the control unit is configured to, at the end of the second phase, command a new operating cycle. The operator can thus immediately proceed with a new test after removing the material(s) in non-compliant sheets placed in the first storage area and originating from the second storage area.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the machine includes at least one sheet material detection device disposed, preferably, in at least one of the storage areas and the control unit is configured to control the transition from one phase to another of the operating cycle at least according to the data provided by said at least one sheet material detection device.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide path comprises at least one sheet material transport surface, and at least a portion of the transport surface is defined by at least a portion of the drivers. This transport surface is generally a movable flat surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the drives comprises at least two endless transmission elements, each associated with a drive element with two directions of rotation. These endless transmission elements are mounted to move freely between a widely spaced position and a position close to each other, in which they define a pinching zone for the sheet material. Alternatively, at least one of the drives comprises at least one endless transmission element associated with a drive element with two directions of rotation and at least one rolling element, such as a roller. These endless transmission elements and the at least one rolling element are mounted to move freely between a widely spaced position and a position close to each other, in which they define a pinching zone for the sheet material.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, for the or at least one of the drives, in the activated state of the test mode and in the driven state of rotation of at least one rotary drive element of said drive over a predetermined angular stroke following a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in the movement of sheet material from the second storage zone to the first storage zone, said angular stroke is divided into a first part and a second part, and the endless transmission elements of said drive are in a position close to each other on the first part of the angular stroke of said at least one rotary drive element and in a position separated from each other on the second part of the angular stroke. This arrangement prevents any risk of injury to an operator located in the first storage area by the sheet material(s) coming from the second storage area and carried in motion by the conveyor(s).Alternatively, for the or at least one of the trainers, in the activated state of the test mode and in the driven state of rotation of at least one rotary drive element of said trainer over a predetermined angular stroke following a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in movement of sheet material from the second storage area to the first storage area, said angular stroke is divided into a first part and a second part, and the endless transmission element and the at least one bearing element of said trainer are in a position close to each other on the first part of the angular stroke of said at least one rotary drive element and in a position far apart from each other on the second part of the angular stroke.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the activatable / deactivatable junction groups is a junction group mounted movable along a so-called vertical direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide path between at least two positions, one of the positions corresponding to the inactive state of the junction group, the other of the positions corresponding to the active state of the junction group.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the switchable / switchable joining groups comprises a U-shaped guide piece lying down with at least one wing and the gluing and / or stapling device is carried by said guide piece.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, each edge of the guide path is formed by at least one guide element, said edges are mounted movable in the direction of approaching or separating each other to vary the width of the guide path and the driver or each driver and the junction group or each junction group are arranged between said edges along at least one line transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide path.

[0020] The invention further relates to a method for joining sheet material, preferably cardboard, by means of a machine comprising a sheet material joining station disposed between two sheet material storage areas and a control unit, said joining station providing a sheet material guidance path extending between the sheet material storage areas and running longitudinally from one of the storage areas, referred to as the first storage area, to the other storage area, referred to as the second storage area, said guidance path comprising two edges and, disposed between said edges, at least one sheet material feeder and at least one sheet material joining group, each joining group comprising at least one gluing and / or stapling device, each feeder comprising at least one drive element,characterized in that the drive unit(s) or at least one of the drive units being a drive unit with two directions of rotation to allow for the movement of sheet material from one storage area to the other storage area and vice versa, and the junction group(s) being an activatable / deactivatable group, the junction group(s) being in the inactive state and in the driven state of each drive unit with two directions of rotation along one of its directions of rotation, and the machine comprising a first operating mode called test mode and a second operating mode called production mode, said operating modes being selectively activatable, said process comprising, in the activated state of test mode,at least one control step for each two-way drive unit of the or at least one of the drives following a first direction of rotation corresponding to a drive moving sheet material from the first storage zone to the second storage zone during which each junction group is in the active state and one control step for each two-way drive unit of the or at least one of the drives following a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive moving sheet material from the second storage zone to the first storage zone during which each junction group is in the inactive state.

[0021] The above process may further include, for a machine comprising a manually operated test validation / invalidation system, after the step of controlling each drive element in two directions of rotation of the or at least one of the drives following a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in moving sheet material from the second storage area to the first storage area during which each junction group is in the inactive state,a step of actuation of the test validation / invalidation system in the direction of a test validation followed by a step during which each drive unit with two directions of rotation of the or at least one of the drives is in the driven state in movement along a first direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in movement of sheet material from the first storage area to the second storage area and during which the or each junction group is in the inactive state. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] represents a schematic view of a machine according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig. 2] represents a partial view of a machine in the inserted state of sheet materials from the first storage area into the junction station and in the driven state of sheet materials towards the second storage area, the junction groups being in the active state;

[0025] [Fig. 3] represents a partial view of a machine in the positioned state of sheet materials having been subjected to at least one joining in the second storage area;

[0026] [Fig. 4] represents a partial view of a machine in the positioned state of assembled sheet materials, i.e. having been subjected to at least one junction in the second storage zone during the transition of the junction groups to the inactive state;

[0027] [Fig. 5] represents a partial view of a machine in the positioned state of sheet materials assembled in the second storage area and deactivated junction groups and in the driven state of said sheet materials assembled towards the junction station for a return to the first storage area;

[0028] [Fig. 6] represents a partial view of a machine in the positioned state of sheet materials assembled in the first storage area and in the driven state of said sheet materials assembled towards the junction station for return to the second storage area, said junction groups being in the inactive state;

[0029] [Fig. 7] represents a partial view of a machine in the driven state of said sheet materials assembled towards the second storage area for a return to the second storage area, said joining groups being in the process of changing from the inactive state to the active state;

[0030] [Fig. 8] represents a partial schematic view of a trainer;

[0031] [Fig. 9] represents a partial schematic view of two junction groups and

[0032] [Fig. 10] represents a partial schematic cross-sectional view of sheet materials being joined with a schematic representation of the joining groups.

[0033] As mentioned above, the invention relates to a machine 1 for joining one or more sheet materials 20, such as cardboard sheets, as in the example shown where the sheets can be pre-folded and scored if necessary. The machine 1 shown is used to join a sheet of cardboard at, for example, the edges of said sheet of cardboard, or several sheets of cardboard, in this case two folded sheets of cardboard, to form, after assembly, a band that can constitute at least the side walls of a parallelepiped-shaped box.

[0034] The machine 1 comprises, as illustrated in Figure 1, a sheet material joining station 2 located between two sheet material storage zones 3 and 4, and a control unit 5. The joining station 2 extends between the storage zones 3 and 4 and forms a communication zone between said storage zones 3 and 4. This joining station 2 provides a guide path 6 extending between the storage zones 3 and 4 and connecting them. The aforementioned storage zones 3 and 4. This guidance path 6 extends longitudinally, that is, along its longitudinal axis, from one of the storage zones, referred to as the first storage zone 3, towards the other storage zone, referred to as the second storage zone 4. The first storage zone 3 is at least a storage zone for sheet materials not yet subjected to at least one joint, while the second storage zone 4 is a storage zone for sheet materials that have been subjected to at least one joint.

[0035] In the examples shown, the first storage zone 3 is simply defined by a substantially horizontal flat surface on which at least 20 sheet materials requiring at least one splicing can be stored flat. The second storage zone 4 is implemented here as a belt conveyor onto which the sheet material(s) from the splicing station are deposited. This belt conveyor defines a transport surface with two directions of movement: one towards the splicing station, and the other towards a gap from the splicing station. The direction of movement of the belt conveyor's transport surface is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide path 6 defined by the splicing station 2.

[0036] The guide path 6 of the junction post 2 comprises two edges 7 and, arranged between said edges 7, at least one trainer 8 of sheet material 20 and at least one group 9 of junction by gluing and / or stapling of sheet material 20.

[0037] In the examples shown, each edge 7 of the guideway 6 is formed by a guide element in the form of an elongated piece parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guideway, forming a walkway. These edges 7 are mounted to move towards or away from each other to vary the width of the guideway 6. The drive unit(s) 8 and the connecting group(s) 9 are arranged between these edges 7 along at least one line transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guideway 6. To allow such movement of the edges 7 towards or away from each other, the edges 7 are mounted on a rail transverse to the longitudinal axis of the guideway 6 and are equipped with a motor controllable by The control unit 5 is for the automatic movement of the edges 7 along the rail. Each joining group 9 includes at least one gluing and / or stapling device 10. In the examples shown, two joining groups 9 are provided. At least one, preferably each of the joining groups 9, is an activatable / deactivatable joining group 9. This joining group 9 is mounted to move along a vertical direction, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide path 6, between at least two positions: one position corresponding to the inactive state of the joining group 9, and the other to the active state of the joining group. In practice, at least one, preferably each of the activatable / deactivatable joining groups 9 includes a U-shaped guide piece 11 with at least one flange, and the gluing and / or stapling device 10 is carried by said guide piece 11.As illustrated in Figure 10, the inverted U-shaped guide piece 11 of one of the connecting groups is oriented towards one bank 7, and the inverted U-shaped connecting piece 11 of the other connecting group is oriented towards the other bank 7. Thus, the inverted U-shaped guide pieces 11 face each other back-to-back. Each inverted U has a vertical wing perpendicular to one of the arms of the U and located at the end of that arm. The connecting groups are arranged at different heights, and one of the connecting groups is referred to as the lower group, while the other is referred to as the upper group. The wing of the inverted U of the lower connecting group is supported by the lower arm of the U. The wing of the inverted U of the upper connecting group is supported by the upper arm of the inverted U.Each sheet material is inserted by one of its edges into the interbranch space of one of the inverted U-shaped sections and rests by its other edge on the outside of the U, against one of the branches of the U at the level of the other inverted U. This assembly is a classic one with such 9 junction groups, the basic architecture of which is known.

[0038] The gluing and / or stapling device 10, fitted to each joining group, allows, in this position, the assembly, by stapling and / or gluing, of one or more sheet materials 20 at each guide piece 11. Again, each gluing and / or stapling device 10 is well known to those versed in this art and can be classically formed from a stapling or gluing head.

[0039] In the inactive state of the joining groups, corresponding to a position separated from each other along a so-called vertical direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide path 6, the guide pieces 11 of the joining groups 9 are arranged outside the path followed by the sheet material(s) 20 in the joining station for the passage from the first storage zone 3 to the second storage zone 4 or vice versa.

[0040] In the active state of the joining groups, corresponding to a position close to one another along a vertical direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide path 6, the guide elements 11 of the joining groups 9 are arranged on the path followed by the sheet material(s) 20 in the joining station for the passage from the first storage zone 3 to the second storage zone 4. This path of the sheet material(s) 20 in the joining station is defined by the guide(s) 8. Indeed, the guide path 6 includes at least one transport surface 14 for the sheet material(s) 20, and at least a part of the transport surface 14 is defined by at least a part of the guide(s) 8. This transport surface 14 defines a horizontal plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide path 6.The junction groups 9 are in the inactive state arranged one above, the other below this transport surface 14.

[0041] Each trainer 8 includes one or more motor elements 81. The motor element(s) 81 of the trainer(s), preferably of each trainer, is a motor element with two directions of rotation to allow the material(s) 20 in sheet form to be moved from the first storage area towards the second storage area and vice versa, i.e. from the second storage area to the first storage area.

[0042] In the examples shown, at least one, here each drive 8, comprises two endless transmission elements 82, each formed by a belt. Each transmission element 82 is associated with a drive element 81. with two directions of rotation. The transmission members 82 are mounted movably between a position spread apart and a position close together in which they define between them a pinching zone of sheet material 20.

[0043] The transport surface 14 mentioned above is defined by at least a portion of the drives 8. Thus, in the examples shown, since the endless transmission elements 82 are endless belts, at least the upper strand of the lower belt forms the transport surface 14 for the sheet material(s) of the guide path, allowing the sheet material(s) to be moved from one storage area to another within the junction station. The endless transmission elements 82 of a drive 8 are mounted to move in the direction of approaching or separating from one another. To this end, in the example shown in Figure 8, each endless transmission element 82 is mounted on a rail, referred to as the horizontal rail, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the guide path 6, and the rails are movable parallel to themselves in the direction of approaching or separating from one another.

[0044] Each transmission element 82 is also axially movable along the rail using a preferably motorized drive system to allow adjustment in position of the transmission elements 82 along the rail.

[0045] Each connecting group 9 is in the inactive state when driven by the drive elements 81 of a drive in one of its directions of rotation. In particular, each connecting group 9 is in the inactive state when driven by the drive element(s) of a drive in the direction of rotation that allows for the movement of the sheet material(s) 20 from the second storage zone 4, corresponding to the storage zone 4 of the sheet material(s) in the assembled state (i.e., subjected to at least one joining), to the first storage zone 3. Thus, when the sheet material(s) 20 are moved from the second storage zone 4 to the first storage zone 3, this sheet material(s) 20 cannot be joined by means of the connecting group(s) 9.

[0046] In the example shown, machine 1 has two operating modes: a test mode and a production mode. These modes can be selectively activated. Generally, the test mode is the default mode when the machine starts up.

[0047] As mentioned above, machine 1 includes a control unit 5. This control unit is an electronic and computer system that includes, for example, a microprocessor and working memory. In a particular configuration, the control unit may be a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0048] In other words, the functions and steps described can be implemented as a computer program or via hardware components (e.g., programmable gate arrays). Specifically, the functions and steps performed by the control unit or its modules can be implemented by instruction sets or computer modules implemented in a processor or controller, or by dedicated electronic components, or by components such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). It is also possible to combine computer and electronic components.

[0049] When it is specified that the unit or means or modules of said unit are configured to perform a given operation, this means that the unit includes computer instructions and the corresponding means of execution which enable said operation to be performed and / or that the unit includes corresponding electronic components.

[0050] The control unit 5 is configured to, in the activated test mode state, control each motor 81 in two directions of rotation of the drive unit or at least one of the drives 8, preferably each of the drives 8, following a first direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in movement of the sheet material(s) 20 from the first storage zone 3 towards the second storage zone 4 and following a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in movement of the sheet material(s) 20 from the second storage zone 4 to the first storage zone 3. Each junction group 9 is in the inactive state in the driven state of the motor(s) 81 with two directions of rotation following the second direction of rotation.

[0051] The control unit 5 is further configured to, in the activated state of production mode, control the motor(s) 81 in two directions of rotation of the or at least one of the drivers 8 in a single direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in movement of the sheet material(s) 20 from the first storage zone 3 to the second storage zone 4 and each junction group is in the active state in this operating mode.

[0052] Machine 1 further includes a manually operated test validation / invalidation system 13. This manually operated test validation / invalidation system 13 is located in the first storage area 3 as shown in Figure 1. This test validation / invalidation system 13 may consist of two buttons arranged on a housing forming a human-machine interface. One button corresponds to test validation, the other button to test invalidation. The control unit 5 is configured to control the motor(s) 81 of the drive unit(s), preferably each of the drive units 8, and the junction group(s) 9 according to an operating cycle based on the actuation of the test validation / invalidation system 13.Thus, in the activated state of test mode, the control unit 5 is configured to control the two-way motor(s) 81 of the or at least one, preferably each, of the drives 8 and the or each group 9 of junction following an operating cycle comprising a first phase during which the two-way motor(s) of at least one, preferably each, of the drives is in the driven state in movement in a first direction of rotation corresponding to the drive in movement of the sheet material(s) 20 from the first storage area to the second storage area and the or each group 9 of junction is in the active state.

[0053] Thus, during this first phase, the sheet material(s) can be subjected to at least one joining between them, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The operating cycle includes a second phase during which the two-way drive unit(s) 81 of the drive unit(s) 8, preferably of each of the drives 8, is in the driven state, moving in a second direction of rotation, corresponding to a drive movement of the sheet material(s) 20 from the second storage zone 4 to the first storage zone 3, and the joining group(s) 9 is in the inactive state. This second phase is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.The joining groups 9 are separated from each other to enter the inactive state, and the belt conveyor of the second storage zone 4 and the endless transmission elements 82 of at least one of the drives generate a movement of the sheet materials 20 from the second storage zone 4 to the first storage zone 3. Thus, the sheet material(s) 20 that have just undergone at least one joining return to the first storage zone 3 where the operator is positioned. During this second phase, the two-way drive element(s) 81 of the drive(s) or at least one of the drives, preferably of each of the drives, are driven in rotation through a predetermined angular stroke in a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive that moves the sheet material(s) 20 from the second storage zone 4 to the first storage zone 3.

[0054] The angular stroke is divided into a first part and a second part, and the endless transmission members 82 of said drive 8 are in a close position to each other during the first part of the angular stroke of said rotary motor member 81 and in a separate position during the second part of the angular stroke, so that during the second part of the angular stroke, they no longer drive the sheet material(s) 20 in motion. This arrangement ensures that at the end of the stroke of the sheet material(s), i.e., as it approaches the first storage zone, the sheet material(s) are pushed with less force towards the operator, who is located at the level of the first storage zone, as illustrated in Figure 1, to avoid the risk of injury. The operator then performs a visual check of the or joints. If, after the visual inspection, the operator is satisfied, they can activate the test validation / invalidation system 13 to validate the test. To do this, the operator simply presses the test validation button. In this case, the operating cycle includes a third phase during which the two-way rotating drive(s) 81 of the drive unit(s), preferably of each of the drive units 8, are in the driven state, moving in a first direction of rotation corresponding to the movement of the sheet material(s) 20 from the first storage zone 3 to the second storage zone 4, and each joint group 9 is in the inactive state. The sheet material(s) 20 that have undergone at least one joint are thus returned to the second storage zone, as illustrated in Figure 7, and may then be removed from this second storage zone or not.

[0055] With the test mode activated and the test validation / invalidation system 13 engaged in the test validation state, the control unit 5 is configured to activate production mode at the end of the third phase. If, after visual inspection, the operator is dissatisfied with the quality of the joint(s), the operator can activate the test validation / invalidation system 13 to invalidate the test. To do this, the operator simply presses the test invalidation button. Simultaneously, the operator removes from the first storage area any non-conforming sheet material(s) that have just undergone at least one joint. The operator can, if necessary, adjust settings at the jointing station. The operating cycle resumes at phase 1, and a new test is initiated until the operator finally validates the test.

[0056] For example, to ensure that the direction of the drive units 81 reverses at the desired time based on the movement of the sheet material(s), the machine includes at least one sheet material detection unit 12, preferably located in at least one of the storage areas. The control unit 5 is configured to control the transition from one phase to another in the operating cycle based on the data provided by said at least one sheet material detection unit 12. This sheet material detection unit 12 can affect a large number of shapes and can for example be formed by a sensor, an encoder, a timer or other.

[0057] In practice, only one sensor is placed in the second storage zone 4.

[0058] It is understood that the operating cycle described above prevents the operator from having to move to check a junction. This results in time savings and less operator fatigue.

[0059] In summary, with the operator positioned at the first storage area, as illustrated in Figure 1, and having entered the dimensions of the sheet materials into the human-machine interface, it is assumed that the machine has adjusted the position of the feeders, edges, and joining groups according to the entered data. Test mode is automatically activated.

[0060] The joining process described above then comprises: - a step of manually or automatically positioning one or more, in this case for example, two sheet materials stored in the first storage area in the guide path 6 of the junction station, - a joining step of the sheet material(s) by the joining group(s) of the joining station in parallel with the feed by the conveyor(s) 8 of the sheet material(s) 20 into the second storage area, - a reversal step for the drive units, with two directions of rotation for the drive units and a period of inactivity for the joining groups, followed by the return of the sheet material(s) to the first storage area. During this return phase, the edges may move apart. In this first storage area, the process includes either a test validation step followed by the return of the sheet material(s) to the second storage area, or a test invalidation step followed by the initiation of a new test repeating the procedure described above, possibly after a change in the machine settings.

Claims

Demands

1. A machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, said machine (1) comprising a sheet material joining station (2) disposed between two sheet material storage areas (3, 4) and a control unit (5), said joining station (2) providing a sheet material (20) guidance path (6) extending between the sheet material (20) storage areas (3, 4) and running longitudinally from one of the storage areas (3, 4), referred to as the first storage area (3), to the other storage area, referred to as the second storage area (4), said guidance path (6) comprising two edges (7) and, disposed between said edges (7), at least one sheet material (20) feeder (8) and at least one sheet material (20) joining group (9), each joining group (9) comprising at least one device (10) of gluing and / or stapling,each driver (8) comprising at least one drive element (81), characterized in that the drive element(s) (81) of the driver(s) (8) is a drive element (81) with two directions of rotation to allow movement of the sheet material(s) (20) from one of the storage zones (3, 4) towards the other storage zone and vice versa, and in that the junction group(s) (9) is an activatable / deactivatable group, the junction group(s) (9) being in the inactive state in the driven state of each drive element (81) with two directions of rotation along one of its directions of rotation.

2. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine (1) comprises a first operating mode called test mode and a second operating mode called production mode, said operating modes being selectively activatable.

3. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit (5) is configured to, in the activated state of test mode, control the motor element (81) in two directions of rotation of the drive unit (8) in a first direction of rotation. corresponding to a drive in movement of the sheet material(s) (20) from the first storage zone (3) to the second storage zone (4) and following a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in movement of the sheet material(s) (20) from the second storage zone (4) to the first storage zone (3) and in that each junction group (9) is in the inactive state in the driven state of each motor element (81) in two directions of rotation following the second direction of rotation.

4. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the control unit (5) is configured to, in the activated state of production mode, control each motor element (81) in two directions of rotation of the or at least one of the drives (8) in a single direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in movement of the sheet material(s) (20) from the first storage zone (3) to the second storage zone (4) and in that each joining group (9) is in the active state.

5. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the machine (1) comprises a manually operated test validation / invalidation system (13) and in that the control unit (5) is configured to control each motor element (81) in two directions of rotation of the or at least one of the drives (8) and the or each group (9) of joiners according to an operating cycle as a function of the actuation of the test validation / invalidation system (13).

6. Machine (1) for joining sheet material, preferably cardboard, according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the activated state of test mode, the control unit (5) is configured to control each two-way motor element (81) of the drive unit or at least one of the drives (8) and each joining group (9) according to an operating cycle comprising a first phase during which each two-way motor element (81) of the drive unit or at least one of the drives (8) is in the driven state, moving in a first direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in the direction of the drive unit(s). sheet materials (20) from the first storage zone (3) to the second storage zone (4) and the junction group(s) (9) is in the active state, a second phase during which each two-way rotating drive element (81) of the drive group(s) (8) is in the driven state moving in a second direction of rotation corresponding to a driven movement of the sheet materials (20) from the second storage zone (4) to the first storage zone (3) and the junction group(s) (9) is in the inactive state, said operating cycle comprising, in the actuated state of the test validation / invalidation system (13) in the direction of a test validation,a third phase during which each two-way rotating drive element (81) of the drive unit or at least one of the drives (8) is in the driven state, moving along a first direction of rotation corresponding to a drive moving the sheet material(s) (20) from the first storage zone to the second storage zone (4), and the junction group(s) (9) is in the inactive state.

7. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to claim 6, characterized in that in the activated state of the test mode and in the actuated state of the test validation / invalidation system (13) in the direction of a test validation, the control unit (5) is configured to, at the end of the third phase, command an activation of the production mode.

8. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the machine comprises at least one sheet material detection element (12) disposed, preferably, in at least one of the storage areas and in that the control unit (5) is configured to control the transition from one phase to another of the operating cycle at least according to the data provided by said at least one sheet material detection element (12).

9. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide path (6) comprises at least one surface (14) for transporting sheet material (20) and in that at least a portion of the transport surface (14) is defined by at least part of the trainers (8).

10. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the drives (8) comprises at least two endless transmission members (82) each associated with a motor member (81) with two directions of rotation, said endless transmission members (82) being mounted movable between a position spread apart and a position close together in which they define between them a pinching zone of sheet material (20).

11. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to claim 10 taken in combination with claim 2, characterized in that, for the or at least one of the drives (8), in the activated state of the test mode and in the driven state of rotation of at least one rotary motor element (81) of said drive (8) over a predetermined angular stroke following a second direction of rotation corresponding to a drive in displacement of sheet material (20) from the second storage zone (4) to the first storage zone (3), said angular stroke is divided into a first part and a second part, and in that the endless transmission elements (82) of said drive (8) are in a position close to each other on the first part of the angular stroke of said at least one rotary motor element (81) and in a position far apart from each other on the second part of the angular stroke.

12. Machine (1) for joining sheet material, preferably cardboard, according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterized in that at least one of the activatable / deactivatable joining groups (9) is a joint group (9) mounted movable in a so-called vertical direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide path (6) between at least two positions, one of the positions corresponding to the inactive state of the joining group (9), the other of the positions corresponding to the active state of the joining group (9).

13. Machine (1) for joining sheet material, preferably cardboard, according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of the joining groups (9) is activatable / deactivatable includes a U-shaped guide piece (11) lying down with at least one wing and in that the gluing and / or stapling device (10) is carried by said guide piece (11).

14. Machine (1) for joining sheet material (20), preferably cardboard, according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that each edge (7) of the guide path (6) is formed by at least one guide element, in that said edges (7) are mounted movable in the direction of approaching or moving apart from each other to vary the width of the guide path (6) and in that the driver or each driver (8) and the joining group or each group (9) are arranged between said edges (7) along at least one line transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide path (6).

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