OVERHEAD DOOR SYSTEM WITH DAMPING SYSTEM

Abstract

TILTING DOOR SYSTEM WITH DAMPING SYSTEM The invention relates to a door system (160) for a processing machine (100) and comprising a secondary frame (202) having a stop (302a-b, 402a-b), a door (162) with a leaf (164) and a shaft (304) mounted to rotate about a tilting axis (50) on the secondary frame (202) between a closed position where the leaf (164) extends vertically and an open position where the leaf (164) extends horizontally and where in the closed position, the shaft (304) is in the lower part of the leaf (164), and where the shaft (304) has on its periphery, a protrusion (306), where in the closed position, the protrusion (306) is not pressed against said stop (302a-b, 402a-b) and where in the open position, the protrusion (306) is pressed against said stop (302a-b, 402a-b). Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: OVERHEAD DOOR SYSTEM WITH DAMPING SYSTEM Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a door system for a processing machine and comprising a tilting door and a system for damping the door in the open position, as well as to a processing machine comprising such a door system. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] There are processing machines that are designed to process plastic cards, such as bank cards. Such a processing machine is, for example, a printer that prints a pattern on the card, or an encoding machine that codes a chip on the card. For this purpose, the processing machine is equipped with a processing module that acts on the card.

[0003] To process such cards on a large scale, it is known to use a card loader upstream of the processing module.

[0004] Such a card feeder generally comprises a reservoir where the cards are stacked on top of each other and a separation system which takes the cards one after the other by separating them. The reservoir is closed by a door which can be moved from an open position in which it leaves free access to the reservoir and a closed position in which it prevents access to the reservoir.

[0005] For example, there are tilting doors which have a horizontal axis of rotation and which open by rotation between the closed position corresponding to a vertical position and the open position corresponding to a horizontal position.

[0006] When tilting from the closed position to the open position, the door falls under the effect of gravity and comes against a fixed stop which locks it in the open position. Upon reaching this stop, the door bounces several times before stabilizing. Description of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a door system for a processing machine and comprising a door system equipped with a damping system which prevents the door from bouncing when it is opened.

[0008] For this purpose, a door system is proposed for a processing machine, said door system comprising:

[0009] - a secondary chassis having at least one stop,

[0010] - a door having a leaf and a shaft integral with the leaf, where the shaft is mounted mobile in rotation around a tilting axis on the secondary chassis between a closed position where the leaf extends vertically and an open position where the leaf extends horizontally and where, in the closed position, the shaft is in the lower part of the leaf,

[0011] where the shaft has on its periphery and for at least one stop, a protrusion, where in the closed position, the protrusion is not pressed against said stop and where in the open position, the protrusion is pressed against said stop.

[0012] Advantageously, the shaft comprises an inclined plane which connects the circular periphery of the shaft and the top of the protrusion.

[0013] Advantageously, there is a protrusion at each end of the shaft and a stop for each protrusion.

[0014] Advantageously, the door system comprises, integral with the secondary frame, two first pairs of two jaws aligned vertically and open towards a first direction, and two second pairs of two jaws aligned vertically and open towards a second direction opposite to the first direction to delimit between the pairs a channel in which the shaft is inserted, and the / each stop is constituted by a jaw.

[0015] Advantageously, in the closed position, the protrusion is positioned at the level of an opening between two jaws.

[0016] The invention also provides a card processing machine comprising a door system according to one of the preceding variants. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The above-mentioned features of the invention, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

[0018] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a processing machine with a system of door according to the invention where the door is in the closed position,

[0019] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the processing machine of [Fig.l] with the door in the open position,

[0020] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a detail of implementation of the door system according to the invention,

[0021] [Fig.4] is a sectional view along plane IV of [Fig.3] with the door in the closed position, and

[0022] [Fig.5] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4] in the open position.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In the following description, the terms relating to a position are taken with reference to a processing machine 100 in the position of use, that is to say as it is shown in [Fig.l] and [Fig.2].

[0025] The processing machine 100 comprises a chassis 102, a card feeder 150 and a 170 card receptacle.

[0026] Conventionally, the processing machine 100 also comprises a processing module and a transport system which comprises means for moving the cards from the card feeder 150 to the processing module and then to the card receptacle 170, and where the means conventionally comprise rollers which pinch the cards and motors which drive the rollers in rotation. The processing module is thus downstream of the card feeder 150 relative to the direction of movement of the cards by the transport system and upstream of the card receptacle 170. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the card receptacle 170 is arranged below the card feeder 150, but it can be arranged at another location.

[0027] In the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 2], the card feeder 150 is integral with the chassis 102 and it comprises a reservoir 204 in which the cards to be processed are stored. The reservoir 204 is delimited here by three vertical walls 204a-c, namely a bottom wall 204c and two side walls 204a-b arranged on either side of the bottom wall 204c. These vertical walls 204a-c are integral with the chassis 102 and thus form a U-shape when viewed from above, where the side walls 204a-b form the branches of the U and where the bottom wall 204c forms the bottom of the U.

[0028] In the lower part, the reservoir 204 has a tray 204d secured to the frame 102 and generally horizontal which constitutes the base of the reservoir 204 and above which the cards to be processed, such as plastic cards, are stored. The cards are thus stacked on top of each other and on the tray 204d. The cards are thus arranged between the vertical walls 204a-c and on the tray 204d.

[0029] Here, the card feeder 150 has a door system 160 according to the invention.

[0030] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the card receptacle 170 is integral with the chassis 102 and it comprises a housing 172 in which the processed cards are stored. As for the reservoir 204, the housing 172 is delimited here by three vertical walls 172a-c, namely a bottom wall 172c and two side walls 172a-b arranged on either side of the bottom wall 172c. These vertical walls 172a-c are integral with the chassis 102 and thus form a U-shape when viewed from above, where the side walls 172a-b form the branches of the U and where the bottom wall 172c forms the bottom of the U.

[0031] In the lower part, the housing 172 has a tray 172d secured to the frame 102 and generally horizontal which constitutes the base of the housing 172 and above which the processed cards are stored. The cards are thus stacked on top of each other and on the tray 172d. The cards are thus arranged between the vertical walls 172a-c and on the tray 172d.

[0032] Here, the card receptacle 170 has a front wall 172e which is also vertical and which at least partially closes the housing 172 so as to stop the cards falling into the housing 172.

[0033] The processing module is for example a printer or an encoding module, etc. The processing module and the transport system will not be described in more detail because they can take any form known to those skilled in the art. In the same way, the card feeder 150 and the card receptacle 170 can take other forms.

[0034] Although the door system 160 is more particularly described as associated with the card feeder 150, a similar door system may be provided for the card receptacle 170.

[0035] The door system 160 comprises a door 162 having a leaf 164 movable alternately between a closed position (Figs. 1 and 4) and an open position (Figs. 2, 3 and 5). In the closed position, the leaf 164 forms a front wall of the reservoir 204 and closes it to hold the cards to be processed.

[0036] [Fig. 3] shows the leaf 164 in the open position and Figs. 4 and 5 show sections at the level of the articulation of the leaf 164 respectively in the closed position and in the open position.

[0037] The door system 160 comprises a secondary frame 202 which comprises at least one stop 302a-b, 402a-b. The secondary frame 202 is integral with the frame 102 of the processing machine 100, and it may be a part of the frame 102 of the processing machine 100 or an attached and fixed element.

[0038] The door 162 also comprises a shaft 304 secured to the leaf 164, here by means of a swan neck. The shaft 304 is mounted to rotate about a tilting axis 50 on the secondary frame 202 to allow rotation of the shaft 304, and therefore of the leaf 164, about the tilting axis 50 between the closed position where the leaf 164 extends vertically and the open position where the leaf 164 extends horizontally.

[0039] In the closed position, the shaft 304 is in the lower part of the leaf 164 to allow the leaf 164 to open by gravity.

[0040] The shaft 304 has on its periphery and for at least one stop 302a-b, 402a-b (here the stops 402a-b), a protrusion 306 which therefore projects from the shaft 304.

[0041] As shown in [Fig. 4], the protrusion 306 is positioned so that in the closed position, there is therefore no contact between the protrusion 306 and the stop 402a-b, and the protrusion 306 is therefore not pressed against the stop 402a-b and no blocking force is exerted by the stop 402a-b on the protrusion 306.

[0042] As shown in [Fig. 5], after the door 162 has been tilted, the protrusion 306 is positioned so that in the open position, there is contact between the protrusion 306 and the stop 402a-b and the protrusion 306 is therefore pressed against the stop 402a-b, and locking forces are exerted by the stop 402a-b on the protrusion 306 to lock it in rotation.

[0043] Thus, with such an arrangement, when the door 162 swings towards the open position, the protrusion 306 rubs against the stop 402a-b which blocks its movement and any possible rebounds.

[0044] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the protrusion 306 cooperates with the stop 402a which is above the shaft 304, but with a different arrangement, the protrusion 306 will cooperate with a stop 402b which is below the shaft 304.

[0045] Conventionally, the closed position of the door 162 can be guaranteed by a locking means such as a clip secured to the leaf 164 and comprising a flexible tooth which fits into a recess in the secondary frame 202 provided for this purpose.

[0046] On the side of the stop 402a, the shaft 304 here comprises an inclined plane 306a which connects the circular periphery of the shaft 304 and the top of the protrusion 306 so as to form a wedge which is inserted between the shaft 304 and the stop 402a.

[0047] In the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 3], there is a protrusion 306 at each end of the shaft 304 to ensure symmetrical locking and there is thus a stop 402a for each protrusion 306.

[0048] Various arrangements are possible for achieving the rotation of the shaft 304 on the secondary chassis 202, such as for example a hinge where the protrusion is then arranged on a movable node of the hinge.

[0049] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the door system 160 comprises four pairs of two jaws 302a-b, 402a-b. In the embodiment of the invention, there are two first pairs of two jaws 302a-b, where each first pair is open towards a first direction corresponding here to the outside of the processing machine 100, and two second pairs of two jaws 402a-b (shown in ghost lines in Figs. 4 and 5) where each second pair is open towards a second direction opposite to the first direction, i.e. here the inside of the processing machine 100.

[0050] The first pairs are secured to a first element of the processing machine 100, here the secondary chassis 202, and the second pairs are secured to a second element of the processing machine 100, here a cover 102a which is fixed to the secondary chassis 202 and which here forms the front wall 172e of the card receptacle 170.

[0051] The jaws 302a-b, 402a-b are aligned along the tilting axis 50 which constitutes the articulation axis of the leaf 164.

[0052] The two jaws 302a-b of a first pair are arranged here next to the two jaws 402a-b of a second pair.

[0053] The opposite orientation between the jaws 302a-b of the first pairs and the jaws 402a-b of the second pairs makes it possible to delimit between them a channel 404 which extends along the tilting axis 50 and in which the shaft 304 is inserted to carry out its rotation around the tilting axis 50. The arrangement of two pairs of jaws 302a-b, 402a-b facing each other makes it possible to maintain the shaft 304 in the channel 404. For each pair of two jaws 302a-b, 402a-b, there is a jaw 302a, 402a above the shaft 304 and a jaw 302b, 402b below the shaft 304 and aligned vertically with said jaw 302a, 402a.

[0054] The stop is constituted here by one / each jaw 402a of a second pair, but it can be constituted by one / each jaw 302a of a first pair.

[0055] As shown in [Fig.4], in the closed position, the protrusion 306 is positioned here at the opening between two jaws 402a-b. There is therefore no contact between the protrusion 306 and a jaw 402a-b.

[0056] As shown in [Fig.5], in the open position, the protrusion 306 is positioned against a jaw 402a. There is therefore no contact between the protrusion 306 and the jaw 402a.

[0057] The door 162 is mounted to rotate on the secondary chassis 202, between an open position allowing access to the interior of the reservoir 204 and the depositing of cards on the plate 204d and a closed position preventing access to the reservoir 204 by enclosing the cards in the reservoir 204 and vice versa. The door 164 thus closes the U formed by the vertical walls 204a-c.

[0058] The door 162 is rotatable about a tilting axis 50 which is oriented horizontally. The door 162 can thus tilt about the tilting axis 50 between the open position and the closed position and vice versa. In the open position, the door 162 is oriented vertically and in the open position, the door 162 is oriented horizontally.

[0059] The tilting axis 50 is in the lower part of the door 162 when it is in the closed position. Thus, when the door 162 is maneuvered from the open position, it tilts under the effect of gravity.

Claims

Claims

1. Door system (160) for a processing machine (100), said door system (160) comprising: - a secondary frame (202) having at least one stop (302a-b, 402a-b), - a door (162) having a leaf (164) and a shaft (304) secured to the leaf (164), where the shaft (304) is mounted to rotate about a tilting axis (50) on the secondary frame (202) between a closed position where the leaf (164) extends vertically and an open position where the leaf (164) extends horizontally and where in the closed position, the shaft (304) is in the lower part of the leaf (164), where the shaft (304) has on its periphery and for at least one stop (302a-b, 402a-b), a protrusion (306), where in the closed position, the protrusion (306) is not pressed against said stop (302a-b, 402a-b) and where in the open position, the protrusion (306) is pressed against said stop (302a-b, 402a-b).

2. Door system (160) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (304) comprises an inclined plane (306a) which connects the circular periphery of the shaft (304) and the top of the protrusion (306).

3. Door system (160) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that there is a protrusion (306) at each end of the shaft (304) and a stop (302a-b, 402a-b) for each protrusion (306).

4. Door system (160) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises, integral with the secondary frame (202), two first pairs of two jaws (302a-b) aligned vertically and open towards a first direction and two second pairs of two jaws (402a-b) aligned vertically and open towards a second direction opposite to the first direction to delimit between the pairs, a channel (404) in which the shaft (304) is inserted, and in that the / each stop is constituted by a jaw (302a-b, 402a-b).

5. Door system (160) according to claim 4, characterized in that in the closed position, the protrusion (306) is positioned at an opening between two jaws (402a-b).

6. A card processing machine (100) comprising a door system (160) according to one of the preceding claims.