Sheet material stapling machine, preferably for cardboard

Abstract

A sheet material stapling machine (1) comprising a frame (2) with a sheet material inlet (3) and outlet (4), a sheet material circulation path (5) carried by said frame (2) and extending between the inlet (3) and outlet (4), a stapling head (6) carried by the frame (2) and positionable in line with the circulation path (5), a first wire feeding device (7) for the stapling head (6) connected to the stapling head (6) by a wire passage sheath.The machine (1) includes a second wire feeding device (12) that can be positioned at a distance from the first wire feeding device (7) and is connected to the first wire feeding device (7) by one or more wire passage conduits (13). The first and second wire feeding devices (7, 12) each include one or more wire-moving drive motor systems. The machine (1) includes a control unit (16) configured to control each of the wire-moving drive motor systems. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

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

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

[0002] It relates in particular to a sheet material stapling machine, said machine comprising a frame with a sheet material inlet and a sheet material outlet, a sheet material circulation path carried by said frame and extending between the sheet material inlet and the sheet material outlet, at least one stapling head carried by the frame and positionable in line with the circulation path, at least one wire feeding device for the stapling head connected to the stapling head by at least one wire passage sheath, said stapling head comprising a staple-forming portion of a section of wire from the wire feeding device, a cutting portion of said formed wire section and a laying portion of said wire section.

[0003] Stapling machines whose stapling heads form a staple from a continuous wire that they cut are known. These stapling machines can be used, for example, for joining sheet materials, as illustrated, for instance, by French patent FR 3132292. Generally, in this type of machine, the wire spool used to feed a stapling head is located very close to the stapling head. As a result, when the wire spool is empty, the operator is required to stop the machine and climb onto it to change the wire spool. These movements of the operator to access the area around the stapling head are a source of accidents.

[0004] One object of the invention is to provide a stapling machine whose design allows for easy and quick change of the wire reel(s) supplying wire to the stapling head(s) of the machine without risk to the operator.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a sheet material stapling machine, said machine comprising a frame with a sheet material inlet and a sheet material outlet, a sheet material flow path supported by said frame and extending between the sheet material inlet and the sheet material outlet, at least one stapling head supported by the frame and positionable above the flow path, at least one wire feeding device for the stapling head connected to the stapling head by at least one wire conduit, said stapling head comprising a part of staple forming of a section of wire from the wire feeding device, a cutting part of said formed wire section and a laying part of said wire section, characterized in that the machine comprises, in addition to the wire feeding device of the stapling head connected to the stapling head by one or more wire passage sheaths and called the first wire feeding device, at least a second wire feeding device connected to the first wire feeding device by one or more wire passage sheaths to allow wire to be fed to the first wire feeding device from the second wire feeding device, this second wire feeding device being positionable at a distance from the first wire feeding device,The first and second wire feeding devices, each comprising one or more wire-moving motor systems, and the machine comprising a control unit configured to control each of the wire-moving motor systems.

[0006] The presence of two wire feed devices arranged in series and positioned at a distance from each other allows the first feed device to be placed as close as possible to the stapling head, while the second feed device, which includes the wire spool(s) to be changed, is positioned in an area directly accessible to the operator. Furthermore, using two wire feed devices in series, with one of them positioned near the stapling head(s), limits the risk of wire slippage and thus the risk of cutting an incorrect length and consequently producing a defective staple.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the number of drive systems for moving a wire per wire feeding device is at least two, and said systems are selectively activatable. It is thus possible to use different types of wire.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, each motor system for driving a moving wire comprises at least one motor and at least one pair of rotating members defining between them, in a close position, a pinching zone of a wire, at least one of the rotating members being coupled to the motor to form a rotating motor member.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, said rotating members of the or at least one pair of rotating members are mounted to move between a position close to and a position far apart from each other to allow the drive system, which moves a wire, to transition from an active state when the rotating members are close to each other to an inactive state when they are far apart. This results in the possibility of easily switching from a drive system to moving from one wire to another by simply deactivating one system and activating another system.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the number of wire passage guides connecting the first wire feeding device to the stapling head is at least two, the number of wire passage guides connecting the first and second wire feeding devices is at least two, and each guide is associated with a drive system for moving a wire. Thus, each wire is associated with its own drive system, and it is easy to switch from one wire to another.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first wire feeding device comprises at least one sensor, referred to as the first sensor, for detecting the presence of a wire upstream of the wire-moving motor system(s) equipping the first device, "upstream" being defined relative to the direction of wire movement from the first to the second wire feeding device. The control unit is configured to command the operation of the wire-moving motor system(s) equipping the first device based at least on the data provided by said first sensor. The presence of this first sensor ensures the presence of a wire before commanding the operation of a wire-moving motor system.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second wire feeding device includes at least one sensor, called the second sensor, for detecting the presence of a wire upstream of the or at least one of the wire-moving drive motor systems equipping said second device, upstream being taken with respect to the direction of movement of the wire from the first to the second wire feeding device and the wire-moving drive motor systems of the first and second wire feeding devices comprising at least one motor, the control unit is configured to control in synchronicity the motors of the wire-moving drive motor systems equipping respectively the first and second wire feeding devices in the detected state of a wire by said first and second sensors.The presence of a first and second sensor ensures the presence of a wire along almost its entire path and only activates the wire-moving drive systems when the wire is detected along its path. The presence of a first and second sensor also detects the end of a wire spool and ensures the machine continues to operate until the wire has been almost completely consumed.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the machine comprises a wire guide disposed at the end of the wire passage duct(s) connecting the first and second feed devices, at the point where the wire passage duct(s) open into the first feed device. This wire guide is movable between two positions, one corresponding to an active wire feed position for the wire or at least one of the wire-moving drive systems of the first wire feed device, and the other to an inactive position in which any wire feed to the wire-moving drive system(s) of the first feed device is prevented. The movable wire guide allows the inlet of the wire-moving drive system(s) of the first wire feed device to be freed up to remove a wire scrap formed by the end of a wire.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to control the passage of the wire guide from one position to another according to the data provided by the first sensor.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotating parts of a pair of rotating parts of the drive system(s) for moving a wire, equipping the first wire feeding device, are rotating parts with two directions of rotation, and the control unit is configured to command a reversal of the direction of rotation of the rotating parts in the inactive position of the wire guide. This results in the possibility of easily and automatically extracting a wire drop without requiring operator intervention.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second wire feeding device comprises one or more receiving locations for a reel of wire to be unwound, each equipped with a motor capable of engaging with said reel for the rotational drive of said reel, and at least one guide circuit capable of guiding the wire between the location or at least one of the locations and the motor system or one of the drive systems for moving a wire of the second wire feeding device.

[0017] Preferably, the guide circuit comprises one or more pulleys around which the wire is able to wind at least partially. Some of said pulleys are coupled by at least one connecting bar and are mounted to move up and down. This set of movable pulleys, called a counterweight, is associated with at least two sensors that detect the up or down position of said set of movable pulleys. The control unit is configured to control the drive motor for rotating the reels according to the data provided by said sensors.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second wire feeding device is positioned directly above a ground surface other than the surface formed by the vertical projection of the traffic path. Generally, the second wire feeding device is positioned outside the perimeter of the area covered by the traffic path and adjacent to the traffic path so that it can be directly accessible to an operator positioned next to the machine. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig. 1] represents a partial schematic perspective view of a stapling machine according to the invention associated with a detail view of the first wire feeding device;

[0021] [Fig.2] represents another partial schematic perspective view of a machine stapling according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the entire first device wire feed / stapler head in close proximity to the rotating parts of one of the drive motor systems moving a wire equipping the first wire feed device;

[0023] [Fig.4] represents a perspective view of the entire first device wire feed / stapler head in a position away from the rotating parts of one of the drive motor systems moving a wire equipping the first wire feed device;

[0024] [Fig.5] represents, in the form of two partial views of the first device wire feed, the passage of the wire guide from the active position to the inactive position;

[0025] [Fig.6] represents a partial perspective view of the second device wired power supply;

[0026] [Fig.7] represents a cross-sectional view along AA of [Fig.5].

[0027] As mentioned above, the invention relates to a machine 1 for stapling sheet material 30, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The sheet material 30 is made of cardboard. Each sheet of cardboard is stacked at the machine's infeed, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], before being processed at least by stapling inside the machine and exiting the machine in a stapled state.

[0028] The stapling operation can be intended, for example, for closing a sheet material or for joining two sheet materials 30 as illustrated in [Fig.2] where two sheet materials are introduced simultaneously by the operator into the machine 1 to be joined by stapling.

[0029] The machine 1 therefore comprises a frame 2 with an inlet 3 for feeding sheet material and an outlet 4 for evacuating sheet material, as well as a path 5 for circulating sheet material carried by said frame 2 and extending between the inlet 3 for feeding sheet material and the outlet 4 for evacuating sheet material 30.

[0030] The frame 2 can have a wide variety of shapes. It is generally, as in the example shown in [Fig. 1], a parallelepiped-shaped block, one of whose longitudinal faces is bordered by a storage area for the sheet material to be processed, and the opposite longitudinal face by a storage area for the processed sheet material. The frame 2 may define, in its upper part, an enclosure housing the sheet material circulation path 5, at which the sheet material(s) to be processed are guided and moved from the sheet material inlet 3 to the sheet material discharge outlet 30 of the machine. Such a circulation path 5 generally comprises two parallel sides. The sides are integrated into or adjoin the transverse lateral walls of the frame 2.These banks of traffic path 5 extend from entrance 3 towards exit 4 of building 2.

[0031] The movement of the sheet material(s) 30 along the traffic path 5 can be achieved using conveyor belts, part of which can form the support surface of the sheet material(s) on the traffic path 5, as illustrated in [Fig. 2]. Alternatively, pushers can be provided.

[0032] The design of the circulation path 5 and the means of driving the sheet material(s) to travel the circulation path 5 is of little importance with regard to the invention.

[0033] The stapling machine 1 further comprises at least one stapling head 6 mounted on the frame 2 and positionable directly above the travel path 5. In the example shown, several identical stapling heads are provided. Consequently, only one stapling head 6 will be described below.

[0034] This stapling head 6, most notably visible in [Fig. 3], comprises a staple-forming portion 9 for a wire segment, a cutting portion 10 for the formed wire segment, and a positioning portion 11 for the wire segment. Such a stapling head 6 will not be described in further detail, as it is well known to those skilled in this field, and a commercially available stapling head such as that marketed by GAZZELLA ATLANTIQUE can be used. The resulting staple 33 generally has an inverted U-shape, as illustrated in [Fig. 3].

[0035] The special feature of this stapling head 6 is that it produces a staple from a continuous metallic wire 32 from a spool 31.

[0036] The machine 1 therefore includes at least one stapling head 6 feeding device connected to the stapling head 6 by at least one wire passage sheath.

[0037] Characteristically to the invention and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the stapling machine 1 comprises a first wire feeding device 7, visible in [Fig. 3], connected to the stapling head 6 by one or more wire passage sleeves 8. In the example of [Fig. 3], the first wire feeding device 7 is connected to the stapling head 6 by two parallel wire passage sleeves 8, each capable of receiving a wire. Thus, the stapling head 6 can be supplied with wire from two types of wire.

[0038] This first wire feeding device 7 is ideally positioned as close as possible to the stapling head 6. In practice, it is located at a distance of less than 300 mm from the stapling head 6. This first wire feeding device 7 generally extends vertically and above part of the travel path 5 in the machine 1 operating configuration.

[0039] The machine 1 includes a second wire feeding device 12 connected to the first wire feeding device 7 by one or more wire passage sleeves 13 to allow wire feeding 32 from the first wire feeding device 7 to the second wire feeding device 12.

[0040] Again, in the example shown in [Fig.3], the wire passage sheaths 13 connecting the first and second wire supply devices are parallel sheaths and there are two of them.

[0041] The first and second wire supply devices 7 and 12 are arranged in series, with the first wire supply device 7 taking over from the second wire supply device 12. These first and second wire supply devices can be positioned at a distance from each other. Ideally, the second wire supply device 12 is positioned directly above a ground surface other than the surface formed by the vertical projection of the traffic path 5.

[0042] For example, this second wire supply device 12 can be arranged outside the frame 2 along a transverse wall of the frame 2, as illustrated in [Fig.1], to be easily accessible to the operator.

[0043] This second wire supply device 12 is generally adjacent to the traffic path 5.

[0044] The first and second wire feeding devices 7 and 12 each comprise one or more wire displacement drive motor systems, and the machine 1 comprises a pilot unit 16 configured to control each of the wire displacement drive motor systems.

[0045] The wire-moving drive motor system(s) located at the first wire-feeding device 7 are shown in 14 in the figures, while the wire-moving drive motor system(s) positioned at the level of the second wire supply device 12 are represented in 15 in the figures.

[0046] The said control unit is in the form of an electronic and computer system which includes, for example, a microprocessor and working memory. In one particular aspect, the control unit may be in the form of a programmable logic controller (PLC). In other words, the functions and steps described may be implemented as a computer program or via hardware components (e.g., programmable gate networks).In particular, the functions and steps performed by the control unit or its modules can be carried out 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.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.

[0047] The number of wire-moving drive systems per wire feeding device can be one, two, or more. In the examples shown, the number of wire-moving drive systems per wire feeding device is two, and the wire-moving drive systems equipping a wire feeding device are selectively activated. Indeed, when the number of wire-moving drive systems is at least two, the wire-moving drive systems are selectively activated to alternately feed the stapling head 6 depending on the active wire-moving drive system.

[0048] The number of wire passage sheaths 8 connecting the first wire feeding device 7 to the stapling head 6 is at least two. Similarly, the number of wire passage sheaths 13 connecting the first and second wire feeding devices 7 and 12 is at least two, and each sheath is associated with a wire-moving drive motor system.

[0049] Thus, the sheaths, shown in 13 in the figures, arranged between the first wire feeding device 7 and the stapling head 6 are associated with the motor system 14 training in movement of a wire equipping the first wire supply device 7.

[0050] Similarly, the sheaths 13 extending between the first and second wire feeding devices are associated with the wire-moving drive motor system 15 equipping the second wire feeding device 12.

[0051] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, each wire-moving drive system 14 or 15 comprises at least one motor 17 and at least one pair of rotating members 18 which, in close proximity, define a wire-gripping zone 181. At least one of the rotating members 18 is coupled to the motor 17 to form a rotary drive member. As illustrated in [Fig. 7], the rotary drive member may be a toothed drive roller shown in 182, this roller cooperating with one or more opposing toothed driven rollers shown in 183 to delimit a gripping zone shown in 181.

[0052] The wire enters the pinching zone 181. It is driven in displacement by the rotational drive of the rotating members, as illustrated in figures 3 and 4. The rotating members 18 of the or at least one of the pairs of rotating members 18 are mounted movable between a position close to and a position far from each other for the passage of the drive motor system in displacement of a wire from an active state in a position close to said rotating members 18 to an inactive state in a position far from said rotating members 18.

[0053] This movement is achieved here using a jack. This jack acts on a pivoting lever engaged with the non-powered rotating member 18. Thus, for example, in the extended position of the jack ([Fig.3]), the rotating members 18 of a pair of rotating members 18 are in a close position, while they are in a spread-apart position in the retracted position of the jack ([Fig.4]).

[0054] To ensure a wire supply to the first wire supply device 7, which is located far from the operator, the first wire supply device 7 includes at least one sensor, called the first sensor, and shown in 19 in the figures. This first sensor 19 detects the presence of a wire upstream of the wire-moving drive motor(s) 14 equipping the first wire supply device 7.

[0055] The control unit 16 is configured to control the operation of the drive motor system(s) 14 moving a wire equipping the first device 7 according to at least the data provided by said first sensor 19.

[0056] Thus, a rotation of the rotating parts 18 of one of the drive systems 14 for moving a wire equipping the first wire supply device 7 can only be controlled in a first direction of rotation if the wire is present upstream of the system 14 drive motor in displacement of a wire equipping said first device 7.

[0057] Generally, this first sensor 19 is disposed at a distance from the pinching area of ​​the rotating parts of the system 14 drive motor moving a wire equipping the first device 7 equal to the length of the clip to be formed.

[0058] Similarly, the second wire feeding device 12 includes at least one sensor, called the second sensor 20, for detecting the presence of a wire upstream of the or at least one of the wire-moving drive motor systems 15 equipping the second wire feeding device 12.

[0059] It should be noted that the notion "upstream" is taken by reference to the direction of movement of the wire from the second wire feeding device to the first wire feeding device.

[0060] Again, this second sensor 20 is preferably disposed away from the input of the drive motor system in the movement of a wire equipping the second wire supply device, this input being materialized by the beginning of the pinch zone defined by the pair of rotating members at the level of which the wire 32 enters the pinch zone

[0061] The first sensor 19 is visible in [Fig.5]. The second sensor 20 is visible in [Fig.6].

[0062] The second wire supply device 12 includes one or more receiving positions 22 for a reel 31 of wire to be unwound, each equipped with a motor 28 capable of engaging with said reel 31 for the rotational drive of said reel 31 in the direction of unwinding the wire from said reel.

[0063] The second wire feeding device 12 further includes at least one guide circuit 23 capable of guiding the wire 32 between the or at least one of the locations 22 and the or one of the drive motor systems 15 in movement of a wire of the second wire feeding device 12.

[0064] In the example of [Fig.2], this second wire supply device 12 is in the form of a column and includes, along one of the faces of the column, two locations for receiving a coil each time.

[0065] The reels 31 are superimposed and each allows the storage of a wire wound on said reel. Each rotating reel 31 is capable of being constrained in rotation by a motor 28 housed inside the column. Each reel is therefore associated with a motor 28. In the example shown, the wire from a reel is guided each time through a guide circuit 23 before reaching the drive motor system 15, which moves a wire associated with the second wire feeding device 12.

[0066] This guide circuit 23 may include one or more pulleys around which the wire is able to wind at least partially. Generally, this circuit 23 of The guide system comprises several pulleys, as in the example shown in [Fig. 6]. Some of the pulleys, in this case two pulleys, are connected by a connecting bar 24 and mounted to slide upwards and downwards. The movement of these sliding pulleys is detected using at least two sensors, shown as 25 in the figures and called the upper and lower sensors.

[0067] The control unit 16 is configured to control the drive motor 28 in rotation of the coil 31 according to the data provided by the detectors 25.

[0068] The pulleys here are three in number, with two of the pulleys, called mobile, connected by a connecting bar and mounted to slide up and down along the column.

[0069] The wire winds around one of the movable pulleys, then around a second pulley arranged above the connecting bar of the movable pulleys before winding around a third movable pulley associated with the connecting bar.

[0070] The reels are arranged vertically and above one of the movable pulleys. The drive system 15, which moves a wire and is associated with the second wire feeding device, is arranged vertically and above the other movable pulley.

[0071] Thus, when a reel is driven in rotation in the direction of unwinding the wire, the set of movable pulleys tends to lower down to a low position detected by the detector 25 called low.

[0072] The second wire feeding device 12, on the contrary, tends to raise all the movable pulleys to the state driven by the rotation of the rotating parts 18 of the drive motor system 15 by moving a wire associated with the second wire feeding device. This raising occurs up to a high position detected by the detector 25, referred to as the high position.

[0073] Activation of the upper detector 25 triggers a new rotation of the coil until activation of the lower detector 25, which stops the rotation of the coils. This cycle is repeated as many times as necessary.

[0074] In production, the control unit 16 is configured to control in synchronicity the motors 17 of the drive systems 14 and 15 moving a wire equipping respectively the first and second wire supply devices 7 and 12 in the detected state of a wire by the first and second sensors 19 and 20.

[0075] These motors 17 allow the rotating parts 18 to be driven over a stroke corresponding to the appropriate length of wire for each staple to be formed.

[0076] To improve the stapling machine 1, the latter includes a wire guide 21 disposed at the end of the wire passage sheath(s) 13 connecting the first and second wire supply devices 7 and 12 at the outlet of the wire passage sheaths 13 in the first wire feed device 7. This wire guide 21 is mounted movable between two positions corresponding, one, to an active wire feed position of the or at least one of the drive systems 14 motors moving a wire of the first wire feed device 7, the other, to an inactive position in which any wire feed of the drive system(s) 14 moving a wire of the first wire feed device 7 is prevented.

[0077] These active and inactive positions are visible in [Fig.5] where the top view represents the active position of the wire guide 21 and the bottom view the inactive position of the wire guide 21.

[0078] This wire guide 21 is here a pivoting part coupled to the outlet of the wire passage sheaths 23 arranged between the first and second wire feeding devices. This pivoting part pivots around a horizontal axis to move the wire guide 21 between an active lower position, in which it extends vertically and in contact at the outlet of the wire passage sheaths 13 with the entrance of the pinching zone 181 of the rotating members 18 of the drive motor system 14 moving a wire associated with the first wire feeding device 7, and an inactive upper position in which it extends in an offset and away manner with respect to said pinching zone 181.

[0079] The rotating members 18 of a pair of rotating members of the wire-moving drive system(s) 14 equipping the first wire feeding device are two-way rotating members 18, and the control unit 16 is configured to control a reversal of the direction of rotation of the rotating members 18 in the inactive position of the wire guide 21. This reversal of the direction of rotation of the rotating members 18 makes it possible to expel from the pinching zone the last portion of wire remaining at the end of the spool in the pinching zone and corresponding to a wire drop.

[0080] Since the wire guide is in the inactive position, the wire cannot re-enter the sheath that brought it to the pinching zone and is therefore ejected. To ensure automatic ejection of this wire drop from the pinching zone 181, the control unit 16 is configured to command the wire guide 21 to move from one position to another based on data provided by the first sensor 19. Thus, the wire guide 21 moves to the inactive position when the first sensor 19 detects that there is no longer any wire upstream of the pinching zone of the wire-moving drive motor systems 14 equipping the first wire feed device 7 at a predetermined distance from this pinching zone, generally corresponding to the length of wire required to make a staple.

[0081] A new wire 32 can then be presented at the level of the first wire supply device 7.

[0082] In practice, the operation of such a stapling machine 1 is as follows.

[0083] It is assumed that a spool 31 of wire has been placed at the level of the second wire supply device 12, which is easily accessible to an operator.

[0084] It is assumed that the operator has drawn the wire into the guide circuit 23 and brought it to the drive motor system 15 by moving a wire from the second wire feeding device.

[0085] The operator controls the control unit 16, via for example a man / machine interface associated with the control unit 16, the rotational drive of the rotating parts 18 of the system 15 drive motor moving a wire of the second wire supply device 12 for the supply of the wire, via the wire passage sheath connecting the first and second wire supply devices, to the system 14 drive motor moving a wire of the first wire supply device 7.

[0086] The first sensor 19 detects the presence of wire and the rotating parts 18 of the wire displacement drive motor system 14 of the first wire feeding device 7 are driven in rotation in synchronism with the rotating parts 18 of the wire displacement drive motor system 15 of the second wire feeding device 12.

[0087] The wire is routed to the stapling head 6 via the wire passage sheath 8 connecting the stapling head 6 and the first wire supply device 7.

[0088] A first cut is made by the stapling head 6 to set the wire to the correct length. The stapling machine 1 is ready to start making staples.

[0089] In production, the motors 17 of the wire-moving drive systems 14 and 15 of the first and second wire-feeding devices 7 and 12 are synchronized with the stapling head 6 and deliver the appropriate length of wire for each staple formed. During production, the wire is delivered, and the movable pulleys of the guide circuit 23 move upwards until they are detected by the upper sensor 25. The motor 28 of the reel 31 rotates and thus unwinds the reel 31 of wire until the movable pulleys reach the lower sensor 25.

[0090] The cycle repeats as many times as necessary depending on the demand for yarn.

[0091] When the spool of wire is finished, the end of the wire is detected at the second Wire feed device 12 is supplied by the second sensor 20. An alarm signal can be emitted by an alarm signal sending system 27, such as a siren, controlled by the control unit 16. The machine 1 then consumes the remaining wire until the end of the wire is detected at the first wire feed device 7 by the first sensor 19.

[0092] The retractable wire guide 21 retracts into the inactive position. The motor 17 drives the rotating parts 18 of the drive motor system 14, moving a wire associated with the first wire feeding device 7 in the opposite direction. The wire guide 21 is in the inactive position. The remaining wire section at the drive motor system 14, which is moving a wire associated with the first wire feed device 7, cannot re-enter the sheath 13 connecting the first and second wire feed devices and is ejected. The wire guide 21 returns to the active position and a new wire can be inserted.

[0093] When a wire of another type is to be used, it is sufficient to move the rotating members 18 of one of the wire-moving drive motor systems equipping the first and second wire feeding devices apart and to move the rotating members 18 of the other or another of the wire-moving drive motor systems equipping the first and second wire feeding devices together.

[0094] Obviously, in a simplified version of the stapling machine, the stapling machine can include, by wire feeding device, a single motor system for driving the movement of a wire.

[0095] The machine, as described above, can perform all the stapling operations, change the thread when the reels are empty, and switch from one type of thread to another, without the operator having to intervene in the heart of the machine.

Claims

Demands

1. A sheet material (30) stapling machine (1), said machine (1) comprising a frame (2) with a sheet material inlet (3) and a sheet material outlet (4), a sheet material path (5) carried by said frame (2) and extending between the sheet material (30) inlet (3) and the sheet material outlet (4), at least one stapling head (6) carried by the frame (2) and positionable above the path (5), at least one wire feeding device (32) for the stapling head (6) connected to the stapling head (6) by at least one wire passage sheath, said stapling head (6) comprising a staple-forming portion (9) of a section of the wire (32) from the wire feeding device wire, a cutting portion (10) of said formed wire section and a laying portion (11) of said wire section, characterized in that the machine (1) comprises,In addition to the wire feed device of the stapling head (6), connected to the stapling head (6) by one or more wire passage sleeves (8) and referred to as the first wire feed device (7) (32), at least one second wire feed device (12) connected to the first wire feed device (7) by one or more wire passage sleeves (13) to allow wire (32) to be fed from the second wire feed device (12), this second wire feed device (12) being positionable at a distance from the first wire feed device (7), the first and second wire feed devices (7, 12) each comprising one or more wire-moving drive motor systems (14, 15), and the machine (1) comprising a control unit (16) configured to control each of the moving drive motor systems (14, 15). of a thread.

2. Stapling machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of drive systems (14, 15) for moving a wire per wire feeding device is at least two and in that said systems (14, 15) are selectively activatable.

3. Stapling machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each motor system (14, 15) a wire displacement drive comprises at least one motor (17) and at least one pair of rotating members (18) defining between them, in close position, a wire pinching zone (181), at least one of the rotating members (18) being coupled to the motor (17) to form a motor rotating member.

4. Stapling machine (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said rotating members (18) of the or at least one of the pairs of rotating members (18) are mounted movable between a position close to and a position far from each other for the passage of the drive motor system (14, 15) moving a wire from an active state in a position close to said rotating members (18) to an inactive state in a position far from said rotating members (18).

5. Stapling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the number of wire passage sheaths (8) connecting the first wire feeding device (7) to the stapling head (6) is at least two, in that the number of wire passage sheaths (13) connecting the first and second wire feeding devices (7, 12) is at least two, and in that each sheath (8; 13) is associated with a wire-moving motor drive system (14; 15).

6. Stapling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first wire feeding device (7) comprises at least one sensor (19), referred to as the first sensor, for detecting the presence of a wire upstream of the wire-moving drive motor system(s) (14) equipping the first device (7), upstream being taken with respect to the direction of movement of the wire from the first to the second wire feeding device, and in that the control unit (16) is configured to control the operation of the wire-moving drive motor system(s) (14) equipping the first device (7) based at least on the data provided by said first sensor (19).

7. A stapling machine (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second (12) wire feeding device comprises at least one sensor (20), referred to as the second sensor, for detecting the presence of a wire upstream of the wire or at least one of the drive motor systems (15) moving a wire equipping said second device (12), the upstream being taken with respect to the direction of movement of the wire from the first to the second wire supply device and in that the systems (14, 15) drive motors in movement of a wire of the first and second wire supply devices (7, 12) comprising at least one motor (17), the control unit (16) is configured to control in synchronicity the motors (17) of the systems (14, 15) drive motors in movement of a wire equipping respectively the first and second wire supply devices in the detected state of a wire by said first and second sensors (19, 20).

8. Stapling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a wire guide (21) disposed, at the end of the wire passage sheath(s) connecting the first and second feeding devices, at the outlet of the wire passage sheath(s) (13) in the first feeding device (7), this wire guide (21) being movable between two positions corresponding one to an active wire feeding position of the wire or at least one of the drive motor systems (14) moving a wire of the first wire feeding device, the other, to an inactive position in which any wire feeding of the drive motor system(s) (14) moving a wire of the first feeding device (7) is prevented.

9. Stapling machine (1) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 6, characterized in that the pilot unit (16) is configured to control the passage of the wire guide (21) from one position to another according to the data provided by the first sensor (19).

10. Stapling machine (1) according to any one of claims 8 or 9 taken in combination with claim 3, characterized in that the rotating members (18) of a pair of rotating members (18) of the wire-moving drive motor system(s) (14) equipping the first wire feed device are rotating members (18) with two directions of rotation and in that the pilot unit (16) is configured to control a reversal of the direction of rotation of the rotating members (18) in the inactive position of the wire guide.

11. A stapling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the second wire feeding device (12) comprises one or more wire receiving locations (22)

12. reel (31) of wire to be unwound each equipped with a motor (28) capable of engaging with said reel (31) for the rotational drive of said reel (31) and at least one guide circuit (23) capable of guiding the wire (32) between the or at least one of the locations (22) and the or one of the systems (15) wire-moving drive motors of the second wire-feeding device (12). Stapling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the second wire feeding device (12) is arranged in line with a ground surface other than the surface formed by the vertical projection of the traffic path (5).

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