Assembly comprising a machine for processing sheet materials and a device for accessing said machine

Abstract

An assembly (1) comprising a machine (2) for processing sheet materials (20), and a device (3) for accessing said machine (2). The mobile access device (3), which allows the machine (2) to be moved closer to or further away from the machine, includes a lifting platform. The support (4) comprises a first part (41) and a second part (42), a first configuration in which the first and second parts (41, 42) of the support (4) are fixed together for upward and downward movement, and a second configuration in which the first part (41) of the support (4), which can be detached from the second part (42) for movement, is located in a designated garage area (8) accessible to the lifting device (5) for the support (4).The access device (3) includes a recess (9) within which the first part (41) of the support (4) retracts into a position close to the access device (3) of the machine (2) and into the positioned state of the first part (41) of the support (4) in its garage area (8). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly comprising a machine for processing sheet materials and a device for accessing said machine

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a machine for processing sheet materials, such as cardboard blanks, and a device for accessing said machine.

[0002] It relates in particular to an assembly comprising a machine for processing sheet materials, such as cardboard blanks, and a device for accessing said machine, said machine comprising a support for sheet materials that can be positioned in a stacked state on said support, a device for raising the support for moving the support between a low position and a high position and a processing station adjoining said support for feeding sheet materials to the processing station from the sheet materials of the support.

[0003] Machines for processing sheet materials, preferably cardboard, are known, as illustrated, for example, by French patent FR 3 132 292. The processing may consist of joining operations by stapling or gluing, for example, and / or folding, creasing, or other operations. The sheet materials are stacked in front of the processing station and are moved by an operator towards the machine's processing station. The sheet materials to be processed may be of varying dimensions, and operators are not all the same height. This results in discomfort for the operator, who, depending on the size of the sheet materials, must adjust their positioning relative to the processing station and reorganize their workstation accordingly, in particular by moving the control devices.Furthermore, depending on the operator's height, they may need to use a means of elevation such as a stepladder, which they position in front of the stack of sheet materials to be processed in order to occupy a more comfortable position. This results in a risk of accidents for the operator.

[0004] An object of the invention is to propose an assembly of the aforementioned type whose design allows the processing of sheet materials of variable dimensions without compromising the comfort or safety of the operator.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a machine for processing sheet materials, such as cardboard blanks, and a device for accessing said machine, said machine comprising a support for sheet materials that can be positioned in a stacked state on said support, and a device for raising the support for moving the support between a low position and a high position. a high-level support and a processing station adjacent to said support for feeding sheet materials to the processing station from the sheet materials of the support, characterized in that the access device is a mobile device capable of being moved towards or away from the machine, in that the access device comprises a mobile operator receiving platform that can be raised and lowered and positioned adjacent to at least a part of the support in the so-called operating configuration of said assembly, in that the support comprises a first part and a second part and two configurations, a first configuration in which the first and second parts of the support are fixed together for movement of the support between a high position and a low position, and a second configuration in which the first part of the support is arranged in a so-called garage area accessible to the deviceof the support's elevation, the first part of the support being in its detachable storage area, moving from the second part of the support to allow the second part of the support to move up and down independently of the first part of the support, and the access device comprising a recess into which the first part of the support retracts into a position close to the machine's access device and in the positioned state of the first part of the support in its storage area. The two-part support design allows for the processing of sheet materials within a wide range of dimensions. The second part of the support is closer to the machine's processing station than the first part of the support. The second part of the support is subjected to stress regardless of the sheet material format, while the first part of the support is subjected to stress in conjunction with the second part of the support.Support is designed solely for large sheet materials. The presence of a height-adjustable operator receiving platform allows the operator to occupy an ideal position relative to the stack of sheet materials being processed, regardless of their size. The access device's recess allows the front section of the support to retract into the access device when not in use. This ensures the access device remains as close as possible to the active section of the support. The operator, positioned on the platform, is thus always optimally positioned relative to the top of the sheet material stack.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the invention, the recess extends vertically and below the platform of the access device. This results in a reduced overall footprint.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the access device is equipped with rolling or sliding elements for moving the access device at least in the direction of moving the machine closer to or further away from it, and the access device's design defines an open space at least in the direction of the machine in the configuration of use of said assembly. Thus, the operator can easily and optimally position the access device.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the access device comprises an inclined access ramp to the platform, said ramp being coupled to the platform by a pivot joint with a pivot axis parallel to the support plane defined by said platform. The presence of a pivoting inclined ramp allows the height of the platform to be varied while ensuring safe access to said platform.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support lifting device comprises one or more elements extending at least under the second part of the support, which rests on the element(s). This element(s) are mounted to move upwards and downwards. The element(s) are extendable, with an adjustable length for moving from a shorter position, in which the element extends under the second part of the support, to a longer position, in which the element is able to extend under both the first and second parts of the support. In other words, the assembly comprises, for separating the first part of the support from the second part of the support during movement, an extendable support lifting device mounted to move between a retracted position and an extended position.The lifting device is in permanent contact with the second part of the support and is capable of engaging with the first part of the support in the extended position.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the machine is equipped with feet, and in the garage area, the first part of the support, intended to rest on a surface, can be positioned to rest on the feet. Generally, the first part of the support rests on any supporting surface in the garage area, such as a support surface for the machine. At least one free space is present under the first part of the support when it is positioned in the garage area to allow access to the first part of the support by the support lifting device.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the feet extend outward from the machine and on either side of the access device in the configuration of use of said assembly, the top of the feet and at least a part of the recess being coplanar when said assembly is positioned on a horizontal flat surface. Thus, any risk of damage to this first part of the support is avoided.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second parts of the support are respectively formed of at least one roller table.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second part of the support is, in the first configuration of the support, interposed between the first part of the support and the processing station of the machine. The first part of the support corresponds to the portion of the support furthest from the processing station. The second part of the support corresponds to the portion of the support closer to the processing station.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the machine comprises at least one electrical cabinet for supplying power to the machine, the processing unit, the second part of the support, the support lifting device, and the electrical cabinet(s) mounted on a common frame to form a first transportable module. The access device forms a second transportable module, and the first and second modules can be positioned in a line for transport to form a containerizable assembly with overall dimensions of less than 12 m in length, 2.30 m in width, and 2.60 m in height. This results in easy transport of said assembly.The fact that the electrical cabinet(s) and the support lifting device are permanently installed on the machine without requiring dismantling for transport allows for significant time savings during the installation and removal of such an assembly, these installation and removal operations being able to be carried out by a non-specialist operator.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the machine comprises a control unit and control elements communicating with said control unit, these control elements including at least one human-machine interface, an emergency stop, and at least one foot pedal, and the control elements are connected to the control unit by a wireless link. Again, this design facilitates the installation and removal of such an assembly. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention in the initial support configuration;

[0018] [Fig.2] represents a partial, partially cross-sectional view of an assembly conforming to the invention in the first configuration of the support;

[0019] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention in the second configuration of the support;

[0020] [Fig.4] represents a partial cross-sectional view of an assembly conforming to the invention in the second support configuration;

[0021] [Fig.5] represents a perspective view of the access device of an assembly according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.6] represents a cross-sectional view of the access device of an assembly according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.7] represents a partial perspective view of an assembly according to the invention in a position away from the machine access device to illustrate the different parts of said assembly;

[0024] [Fig.8] represents a partial perspective view of an assembly according to the invention in a position away from the machine's access device to illustrate the different parts of said assembly;

[0025] [Fig.9] represents a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention in the transport configuration of said assembly;

[0026] [Fig. 10] schematically represents, in the form of a succession of views, the transition from the first to the second configuration of the support.

[0027] As mentioned above, the present invention relates to an assembly 1 comprising a machine 2 for processing sheet materials 20 and a device 3 for providing access to the machine 2 for an operator. This machine 2 comprises a station 6 for processing sheet materials 20 and a support 4 on at least a portion of which the sheet materials 20 are suitable for being stored in a stacked state before their processing at the processing station 6.

[0028] In the example shown, these sheet materials 20 are formed from cardboard blanks. The processing station 6 is a sheet material joining station that incorporates at least one stapling head and a system for feeding the sheet materials through the stapling head. Details of this processing station 6 will not be provided, as it is well known, as illustrated, for example, by French patent FR3132292, and the design of this processing station 6, which generally incorporates at least one gluing and / or stapling device, is of little importance to the invention.

[0029] The processing station 6 includes an inlet and an outlet for the sheet materials 20. The support 4 is adjacent to the processing station 6 and is positioned specifically next to the inlet of the processing station 6 to allow an operator to slide the sheet materials 20 stacked on the support 4 from the support 4 to the processing station 6, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Once processed, the sheet materials 20 are discharged at the outlet of the processing station 6. The sheet materials 20 positioned on the support 4 are therefore awaiting processing in the processing station 6.

[0030] The machine 2 includes a device 5 for raising the support 4. The support 4 comprises a first part 41 and a second part 42 and two configurations. The first configuration is in which the first and second parts 41 and 42 of the support 4 are fixed together for movement of the support 4 between a high position and a low position. The second configuration of the support is a configuration in which the first part 41 of the support 4 is disposed in an area, called the garage, accessible to the lifting device 5 of the support 4. This first part 41 of the support 4 is, in its garage area 8, detachable in movement from the second part 42 of the support 4 to allow an upward and downward movement of the second part 42 of the support 4 independently of the first part 41 of the support 4.

[0031] In the examples shown, the first and second parts 41 and 42 of the support 4 are each formed of at least one roller table. The rollers of these roller tables help the operator to move the stack of sheet material 20 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet material 20 is fed into the processing station 6. The first and second parts of the support 4 could equivalently have been formed of simple smooth trays.

[0032] It is noted that in the example shown in [Fig.1], the first part 41 of the support 4 is a roller table formed of three parallel roller bars, said bars being able to be moved apart or closer together, in particular by hand to vary the dimensions of this first part of the support 4. Each part of the support 4 can therefore be formed of one or more elements without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0033] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the second part 42 of the support 4 is, in the first configuration of the support 4, interposed between the first part 41 of the support 4 and the processing station 6 of the machine 2. The second part 42 of the support 4 is closer to the processing station 6 than the first part 41 of the support 4.

[0034] In the first configuration of the support 4, the first and second parts 41 and 42 of the support 4 are substantially coplanar.

[0035] In the second configuration, only the second part of the support 4 is active and supports sheet materials 20, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The first part 41 of the support 4 is in a garage area 8 at which it does not prevent the machine access device 3, which is part of said assembly 1, from being positioned as close as possible to the machine 1 and to the second part 42 of the support 4 which supports the sheet materials 20.

[0036] When positioned in the garage zone 8, the first part 41 of the support 4 rests on a surface. This surface is preferably a surface belonging to the machine 1. A portion of the support 4 lifting device 5 can extend vertically and below the first part 41 of the support 4, resting on this support surface at least in a position away from an access device 3, which will be described below, of the support 4.

[0037] The support 4 lifting device 5 is configured to allow exclusively synchronous movement in the up and down positions of the first and second parts 41 and 42 of the support 4 in the first configuration and a possible movement in up and down only of the second part 42 of support 4 or of the first and second parts 41 and 42 of support 4 in the second configuration.

[0038] In the example shown in [Fig. 7], the support lifting device 5 comprises at least one extendable element 13 extending at least under the second part of the support 4. This or these extendable elements 13 are mounted to move up and down. This or these extendable elements 13 are, when extended, capable of moving from a shorter position, in which the extendable element(s) extend under the second part 42 of the support 4, to a longer position in which the extendable element(s) 13 are capable of extending under the first and second parts 41 and 42 of the support 4.

[0039] In the examples shown, the extendable elements 13 are two in number and are formed by two parallel arms 131. These arms 131 originate at the processing station 6 and project from the processing station 6 to extend at least below the second part 42 of the support 4. A drive device for the upward and downward movement of the arms 131, such as cylinders or a chain or belt drive system or other, allows the arms 131 to rise or fall synchronously. These arms 131 are telescopic arms formed of at least two arm segments mounted by sliding interlocking, with one of the arm segments permanently supporting the second part 42 of the support, the other or at least one other arm segment being able to support the first part 41 of the support 4, which rests by simple support on said arm segment.This arm segment can, once the first part 41 of the support is placed on a bearing surface when the first part 41 of the support is positioned in the garage zone 8, disengage from beneath the first part 41 of the support by retracting the arm segment, i.e., reducing the arm's length, while the first part of the support remains supported on its bearing surface. The arms 131 can, in their shorter position, cause a displacement of the second part 42 of the support 4, which remains supported by said arms 131. Obviously, the arms can be replaced by an extendable platform or any other extendable element without departing from the scope of the invention.The garage area 8 corresponds to an area of ​​said assembly 1, in particular of the machine, in which the first part 41 of the support rests on a surface other than the arms 131 of the lifting device 5 while being accessible from below by said arms 131 of the lifting device 5.

[0040] In the examples shown, the bearing surface of the first part 41 of the support 4, formed by the garage area 8, is formed by the feet 14 of the machine 2. The movement of the arm segment(s) in the direction of a reduction in the length of the arms 131 occurs, in the example shown, when the first part 41 of the support 4 rests on the feet 14 of the machine 2, as illustrated by the passage of the [Fig. 1] to [Fig. 3]. Indeed, the machine 2 is equipped with feet 14 and, in the garage area 8, the first part 41 of the support can be positioned in support on the feet 14. The garage area 8 therefore corresponds here to an area extending immediately above the feet 14 of the machine 2 in which the first part 41 of the support 4 can be placed by the arms 131 of the support 4 lifting device 5.

[0041] In this garage area 8, the first part 41 of the support extends over the two feet 14 of the machine. Thus, in this garage area 8, the first part 41 of the support remains accessible to the arms 131 of the lifting device 5 at the level of the space left free between the ground and the first part 41 of the support for access, from below, of the arms 131 to the first part 41 of the support 4 at least in a position away from the access device 3 of the machine 2. The arms 131 of the lifting device 5 can be inserted between said feet 14, which are parallel feet spaced apart from each other, or be arranged outside the feet as shown in the figures.

[0042] The support 4 lifting device 5, whether the support 4 is in the first configuration or in the second configuration, always fulfills the same function, namely to maintain the top of the stack of sheet materials at a substantially constant level to allow the operator to occupy an optimal position with respect to this predetermined height of the top of the stack, this height being adjustable.

[0043] To allow the operator easy access to the top of the stack of sheet materials for transferring the sheet materials from the support 4 to the processing station 6 of the machine 2 by sliding, the assembly 1 includes a machine access device 3, particularly visible in Figures 5 and 6. This access device 3 is a mobile device capable of being moved towards or away from the machine 2. For this purpose, the access device 3 is equipped with rolling or sliding elements 10 for movement on the ground. Generally, the access device 3 comprises a welded structure forming the frame of this access device 3, this welded structure being equipped with wheels or skids for movement on the ground by the operator or automatically when the wheels are motorized.

[0044] Thus, in the example of [Fig.5], the access device 3 comprises four wheels, one at each corner of the welded mechanical structure which forms a structure whose base is quadrangular.

[0045] The access device 3 includes a receiving platform 7 for a mobile mounted operator that can be raised and lowered and positioned adjacent to at least part of the support 4 in the configuration known as the use of said assembly 1. In particular, the platform 7 can be positioned adjacent to the location located vertically above the support surface formed by the support 4 and used for receiving sheet materials in the stacked state.

[0046] Generally, the operating configuration of assembly 1 corresponds to the configuration in which the access device 3 is positioned as close as possible to at least a portion of the support 4. This portion of the support corresponds to the active part of the support. This operating configuration is shown in Figures 1 and 3. In this operating configuration, an operator on the platform 7, when extending their arms, has their arms positioned above and vertically above at least a portion of the support 4. In this operating configuration, the active part of the support used for receiving sheet materials is freely movable up and down. The platform 7 is associated with a lifting system. This lifting system may consist of jacks, a scissor lift, or any other lifting system, for example, a chain or belt drive.Thanks to the fact that platform 7 is mounted mobilely up and down, i.e. up and down, the operator, standing on platform 7, can optimize his position relative to the top of the stack of sheet materials resting on support 4.

[0047] To allow for safe operation, the access device 3 includes a guardrail extending over at least part of the perimeter of the platform 7. This guardrail may be formed by a portion of the welded structure of the access device 3. This platform 7 here forms a horizontal L shape with one arm of the L extending parallel to the elongated support 4 and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sheet materials from the support 4 to the processing station 6, and another arm extending perpendicular to the support 4 and parallel to the direction of movement of the sheet materials from the support 4 to the processing station 6.

[0048] The access device 3 comprises an inclined ramp 11 providing access to the platform 7. This ramp 11 is coupled to the platform 7 by a pivot joint with a pivot axis parallel to the support plane defined by said platform 7. This pivot joint 12 may be defined by one or more hinges connecting the ramp 11 to the platform 7. The presence of this inclined ramp 11 allows for safe access to the platform 7, regardless of the height of the platform 7, as illustrated in [Fig. 6]. The inclined ramp 11 extends parallel to the arm of the L which extends parallel to the support 4 and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sheet materials from the support 4 to the processing station 6, and is connected to the other arm of the L, so that the overall size of the access device 3 is reduced, as illustrated in [Fig. 5].Again, this inclined ramp 11 rests on the welded mechanical structure and can be equipped, at its free end opposite to that coupled to the platform, with rollers or skates facilitating its sliding on the welded mechanical structure during the variation of its inclination resulting from an uphill or downhill movement of the platform 7.

[0049] This access device 3 further includes a recess 9 within which the first part 41 of the support 4 is configured to retract into a position close to the machine's access device 3 and in the positioned state of the first part 41 of the support 4 in its garage area 8. This recess 9 extends vertically and below the platform 7 of the access device 3. This recess 9 of the access device 3 defines a housing open at least in the direction of the machine 2 in the operating configuration of said assembly 1, that is to say, in the positioned state of the platform of the access device 3, adjacent to at least a part of the support 4. The tops of the feet 14 and at least a part of the recess 9 are coplanar in the positioned state of the assembly 1 on a horizontal flat surface.This recess 9 forms a horizontal U-shaped housing, open at least in the direction of the processing station 6 in the configuration of use of assembly 1. This horizontal U is delimited by two notches, each formed in a lateral wall of the welded structure of the access device 3. Each lateral wall is formed by a wall that extends parallel to the direction of movement of the sheet materials from the support 4 towards the processing station 6. The support 4 lifting device 5 can, by means of its two arms 131, position itself outside the gap formed by the feet 14 as shown, or between the feet and the notches, to support, from below, the first part 41 of the support 4, thus allowing the first and second parts of the support 4 to move together.

[0050] In this embodiment, the support 4 lifting device 5 has access to the first part of the support located in the garage area 8 regardless of whether the support 4 access device 3 is close to or far from it. Alternatively, the lifting device may be provided to have access to the first part of the support located in the garage area 8 only when it is far from the support 4 access device, but this solution is not preferred.

[0051] To complete the assembly, the machine 2 includes at least one electrical cabinet 15 for supplying power to the machine 2. The machine 2 also includes, at the output of the processing station 6, a receiving tray 22 for the processed sheet materials. These processed sheet materials are stored in a stacked state on the tray 22 at the output of the processing station 6. This tray 22 is mounted to move up and down using a lifting system shown as 23 in the figures and again formed of extendable arms that can project from the processing station 6. The processing station 6 and the second part 42 of the support 4, the lifting device 5 for the support 4, and the electrical cabinet(s) 15 are mounted on a common frame 16 to form a first transportable module. This common frame 16 can also support the lifting system 23 for the receiving tray 22 for the sheet materials coming from the processing station 6.Thus, the 23 elevation system forms part of the . The first transportable module. The access device 3 forms a second transportable module. The tray 22 for receiving sheet materials from the processing station 6 can form a base on which the access device 3 rests, which together with said base forms the second transportable module. This tray 22 is generally surmounted by stacking brackets 19, which can also be integrated into the second transportable module. For transport, the first and second modules can be positioned in a line to form a containerizable unit with overall dimensions of less than 12 m in length, 2.30 m in width, and 2.60 m in height, as illustrated in [Fig. 9].

[0052] Assembly 1 of [Fig. 9] corresponds to that shown in [Fig. 8] after disassembly. Obviously, the machine 2 includes a control unit 17 for the control elements 18, which communicate with said control unit 17. These control elements 18 include at least one human-machine interface, an emergency stop, and at least one foot pedal. These control elements 18 are connected to the control unit 17 wirelessly to facilitate disassembly of the installation. The control unit 17 is in the form of an electronic and computer system that 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 can be implemented either as a computer program or via hardware components (e.g., programmable gate arrays).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.

[0053] The machine 1 can be equipped with means for detecting the position of the access device 3, such as radars 21 shown in [Fig. 8]. The control unit 17 is configured to control the lifting device 5 and the lifting system 23 according to data provided by the detection means to avoid in particular a raising of the first part 41 of the support 4 in a position close to the access device of the support 4 with the first part of the support 4 disposed in the reservation of the access device 3.

[0054] In practice, the operation of such an assembly 1 is as follows. It is assumed that the access device 3 is in its operating configuration, i.e., in the position closest possible to the active part of the support 4, as illustrated, for example, in [Fig. 1], and that the support 4 is in its first configuration in which the first and second parts 41 and 42 of the support 4 are fixed together for upward and downward movement and are carried by the extendable element(s) 13 of the lifting device 5, in this case by the arms 131 of the lifting device 5, as illustrated in the top view of [Fig. 10]. The operator accesses the platform 7 via the inclined ramp and adjusts its height according to their own size. The operator transfers the sheet materials stacked on the support one by one to the processing station 6. When the format of sheet materials is changed in the direction of a reduction in format, as illustrated in [Fig.[3] The support 4 is lowered until the first part 41 of the support 4 rests on the machine's feet 14, which here form the bearing surface of the first part of the support 4 in the garage area 8. The arms 131 of the lifting device 5 are retracted, and the support 4 is, in the second configuration, that is, with the first part 41 of the support positioned in a garage area 8 accessible by the support's lifting device 5. The second part 42 of the support 4 can be driven independently up and down. This second part 42 of the support forms, in this second configuration, the active part of the support used for receiving sheet materials.

[0055] In this second configuration, the access device 3 can be brought closer to the support 4 thanks to the presence of the recess 9 in the access device, into which the first part 41 of the support 4 retracts, as illustrated in the lower views of [Fig. 10]. A portion of the access device 3 overlaps the first part of the support 4. The operator thus occupies an ergonomic position again, very close to the sheet materials, even though the format of the sheet materials has changed. When the formats of the sheet materials change again, the reverse procedure is followed: the access device 3 is moved away from the machine 2, and the arms 131 of the lifting device 5 are extended to position them under the first part 41 of the support 4, thus making the first and second parts 41 and 42 of the support 4 move together.The assembly, as described above, allows the operator to occupy an ergonomic position, regardless of the format of the sheet materials to be processed and the size of the operator.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (1) comprising a machine (2) for processing sheet materials (20), such as cardboard blanks, and a device (3) for accessing said machine (2), said machine (2) comprising a support (4) for sheet materials (20) that can be positioned in a stacked state on said support (4), a device (5) for raising the support (4) for moving the support between a low position and a high position, and a processing station (6) adjoining said support (4) for feeding sheet materials (20) to the processing station (6) from the sheet materials (20) on the support (4), characterized in that the access device (3) is a movable device capable of being moved in the direction of approaching or moving away from the machine (2),in that the access device (3) comprises a mobile operator receiving platform (7) that can be raised and lowered and positioned adjacent to at least part of the support (4) in the configuration known as the use of said assembly (1), in that the support (4) comprises a first part (41) and a second part (42) and two configurations, a first configuration in which the first and second parts (41, 42) of the support (4) are fixed together for movement of the support (4) between a high position and a low position and a second configuration in which the first part (41) of the support (4) is arranged in a so-called garage area (8) accessible to the support (4) raising device (5),said first part (41) of the support (4) being in its garage zone (8) detachable during movement from the second part (42) of the support (4) to allow upward and downward movement of the second part (42) of the support (4) independently of the first part (41) of the support (4), and in that the access device (3) includes a recess (9) within which the first part (41) of the support (4) retracts into the position close to the access device (3) of the machine (2) and in the positioned state of the first part (41) of the support (4) in its garage zone (8).

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said reservation (9) extends vertically and below the platform (7) of the access device (3).

3. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the access device (3) is equipped with rolling or sliding elements (10) for moving the access device (3) at least in the direction of approaching or moving away from the machine (2) and in that the reservation (9) of the access device (3) defines a housing open at least in the direction of the machine (2) in the configuration of use of said assembly (1).

4. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the access device (3) comprises an inclined access ramp (11) to the platform (7), said ramp (11) being coupled to the platform (7) by a pivoting link (12) with pivot axis parallel to the support plane defined by said platform (7).

5. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support (4) lifting device (5) comprises one or more elements (13) extending at least under the second part (42) of the support (4) resting by support on the element or elements (13), this or these elements (13) being mounted movable in raising and lowering, the or at least one of the elements (13) being an extendable element of adjustable length for the passage of said element (13) from a position of shorter length in which said element (13) extends under the second part (42) of the support (4) to a position of greater length in which said element (13) is able to extend under the first and second parts (41, 42) of the support (4).

6. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the machine (2) is equipped with feet (14) and in that, in the garage area (8), the first part (41) of the support (4), intended to rest in support on a surface, is positionable in support on the feet (14).

7. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the feet (14) extend outward from the machine (2) and on either side of the access device (3) in the configuration of use of said assembly (1), the top of the feet (14) and at least part of the recess (9) being coplanar in the positioned state of said assembly (1) on a horizontal flat surface.

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first and second parts (41, 42) of the support (4) are respectively formed of at least one roller table.

9. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second part (42) of the support (4) is, in the first configuration of the support (4) interposed between the first part (41) of the support (4) and the processing station (6) of the machine (2).

10. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the machine (2) comprises at least one electrical cabinet (15) for supplying electricity to the machine (2), in that the processing station (6), the second part (42) of the support (4), the support (4) lifting device (5) and the electrical cabinet(s) (15) are mounted on a common frame (16) to form a first transportable module, in that the access device (3) forms a second transportable module and in that the first and second modules are, for their transport, positionable in line to form a containerizable assembly whose overall dimensions are less than 12 m in length, 2.30 m in width and 2.60 m in height.

11. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the machine (2) comprises a pilot unit (17) and control elements (18) in communication with said pilot unit (17), these control elements (18) including at least one human / machine interface, an emergency stop and at least one pedal and in that the control elements (18) are coupled to the pilot unit by a wireless link.

Images