Sheet material processing unit and sheet material processing machine

Abstract

The sheet material handling units 20, 22, 24 each include a transport system 32 configured to transport a sheet 12 or a portion thereof from a respective input end 20i, 22i, 24i to a respective output end 20o, 22o, 24o. A gripper unit 46 is releasably coupled to the transport system 32 and configured to hold at least a portion of one of the sheets 12. Additionally, at least one handover mechanism 47d, 47r is provided configured to decouple the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32, provide the gripper unit 46 to an adjacent sheet material handling unit 20, 22, 24, and / or receive the gripper unit 46 from an adjacent sheet material handling unit 20, 22, 24 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to the corresponding transport system 32. Additionally, a sheet material processing machine (10) is presented which comprises at least two such sheet material processing units (20, 22, 24).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet material processing unit having an input end at which a sheet to be processed enters the sheet material processing unit and an output end at which at least a part of the sheet leaves the sheet material processing unit. The sheet material processing unit according to the invention is in particular a paper processing unit, a cardboard processing unit or a flexible material processing unit.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a sheet material processing machine comprising at least two such sheet material processing units. [Background technology]

[0003] Sheet material handling units and corresponding sheet material handling machines are well known in the art. In this context, the sheet material processing machine may be, for example, a hot foil machine, which includes a sheet material processing unit associated with hot foil application and sheet delivery by a platen, or a die-cutting machine, which includes a sheet material processing unit associated with cutting, waste discharge, and blank separation. However, the present invention is not limited to these types of machines.

[0004] To move the sheet material through the different units of the machine, a transport system is provided. Often, this transport system comprises a chain or belt drive that extends to substantially all units of the machine. As a result, the sheet material to be processed is connected to the transport system at the input end of the sheet processing machine, and at least a portion of the sheet material is discharged from the transport system at the output end of the sheet processing machine after being processed.

[0005] Such sheet processing machines are effective for carrying out a fixed, pre-defined number of processing steps: changing the number or content of these steps would mean extensive modification of the machine. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is therefore to make sheet material processing machines more flexible, while of course maintaining a high level of efficiency and productivity of such machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This problem is solved by the above-mentioned sheet material handling unit, which includes a transport system for transporting sheets or portions thereof from an input end to an output end and a gripper unit releasably coupled to the transport system and configured to hold at least a portion of one of the sheets. Additionally, the input end and / or the output end include a handover mechanism configured to decouple the gripper unit from the transport system and provide it to an adjacent sheet material handling unit and / or to receive the gripper unit from the adjacent sheet material handling unit and couple the received gripper unit to the corresponding transport system. In contrast to known sheet material handling machines, each sheet material handling unit includes its own dedicated transport system. These transport systems can be selectively interconnected by the handover mechanism. As a result, such sheet material handling units are self-contained modules that can be freely combined to form a sheet material handling machine. Therefore, the number of modules and the corresponding processing steps performed by the modules can be easily adapted. Compared to known transport systems of known sheet material handling machines, the transport system of the sheet material handling unit is smaller and simpler. Additionally, its weight and inertia are reduced. A further advantage is that multiple sheet processing units can be manufactured and tested in parallel or separately before being assembled to form a sheet processing machine.

[0008] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is to replace the known transport system spanning all processing units of a known sheet material processing machine with a smaller transport system dedicated to each sheet material processing unit. These transport systems are interconnectable. For this purpose, the corresponding gripper units are releasably connected to the transport system. As a result, the gripper units can be transferred from one sheet material processing unit to the adjacent sheet material processing unit.

[0009] The fact that the transport system is adapted to transport a sheet or a portion thereof and the gripper unit is configured to hold at least a portion of the sheet arises from the situation where a sheet entering the sheet material processing unit may be separated into multiple elements during processing. In principle, three alternatives are possible. In a first alternative, the sheet enters and exits the sheet material processing unit without being separated into multiple elements. Alternatively, the sheet entering the sheet material processing unit is separated into a first element and a second element during processing. The first element can correspond to a desired result of the process, for example, a product or intermediate product, and the second element can be waste. Thus, in the second alternative, the gripper unit can be configured to hold the first element, i.e., the product or intermediate product, and in the third alternative, the gripper unit can be configured to hold the second element, i.e., waste. In summary, the sheet material processing unit according to the present invention is configured for all of the above alternatives.

[0010] The sheet material handling unit may be suitable for handling sheet material in the form of cardboard, paper, plastic or wood. The gripper units can be coupled to the transport system via a clip-on mechanism, in particular, the transport system having one or more male clip elements and the gripper units having one or more corresponding female clip elements. Such gripper units can be easily and quickly disconnected from one transport system and coupled to another transport system, for example, the transport system of an adjacent sheet material handling unit. This process can be automated. Furthermore, the clip-on mechanism allows the grippers to be positioned on the transport system in a precise and stable manner.

[0011] Alternatively, the gripper unit is coupled to the transport system via a clamping mechanism, and the gripper unit includes at least one switchable clamp configured to selectively engage with the transport system of the sheet material processing unit and / or the transport system of an adjacent sheet material processing unit. The clamp switching can be automatic in that an actuating cam activates the clamping mechanism. This can be done quickly. As a result, the clamping mechanism allows for easy and reliable transfer of the gripper unit between two adjacent sheet material processing units. In this regard, the gripper unit and the transport system can be configured so that clamping is possible only at a specified position on the transport system. Alternatively, the gripper unit and the transport system can be configured so that the gripper unit can be coupled to the transport system at any suitable position.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the transport system comprises a processing section configured to transport a gripper unit holding a sheet or a portion thereof to be processed in a direction from the input end to the output end. The processing section is thereby associated with a handover mechanism arranged at the input end and configured to receive the gripper unit from an adjacent sheet material handling unit and couple the received gripper unit to the corresponding transport system. Additionally or alternatively, the processing section is associated with a handover mechanism arranged at the output end and configured to decouple the gripper unit from the transport system and provide the gripper unit to the adjacent sheet material handling unit. Consequently, the gripper unit carrying the sheet material or a portion thereof to be processed can reach the input end of the sheet material handling unit. The gripper unit is then coupled to the corresponding transport system via the handover mechanism. The sheet material or each element thereof can then undergo one or more processing steps performed by the sheet material handling unit. The gripper unit and the sheet material or each element thereof then reach the output end and are transferred to an adjacent sheet material handling unit that performs a subsequent processing step, where the gripper unit is released from the transport system and coupled to the transport system of the adjacent sheet material handling unit. The sheet material processing unit is therefore a flexible module that can be easily coupled with other modules to process sheet material.

[0013] The sheet material processing unit may be a feeding unit, preferably including a registration module, a platen press unit, in particular a hot foil unit or a die-cutting unit, a peeling unit, a waste discharge unit, a blank separation unit, a quality control unit, a digital printing unit, a digital decorating unit, a digital cutting unit, a creasing unit or a delivery unit. The sheet material processing unit may therefore be adapted to carry out any kind of processing step related to sheet material processing.

[0014] In a variant, the sheet processing unit is a transition unit configured to connect two sheet processing units used to process sheets. The transport system of the transition unit includes a transition section configured to transport a gripper unit holding a sheet or a portion thereof from the input end to the output end. Additionally, the transition section is associated with a handover mechanism located at the input end and configured to receive a gripper unit from an adjacent sheet processing unit and couple the received gripper unit to the corresponding transport system. Furthermore, the transition section is associated with a handover mechanism located at the output end and configured to decouple the gripper unit from the transport system and provide the gripper unit to the adjacent sheet processing unit. In other words, a sheet processing unit configured as a transition unit can be used to connect two sheet processing units used to process sheets. Such a transition unit is not configured to perform processing steps other than transporting a sheet or a portion thereof. Rather, the purpose of the transition unit is to make the sheet processing units interchangeable, i.e., to connect sheet processing units where the handover mechanism at the output end of one sheet processing unit may not be directly connectable to the handover mechanism at the input end of another sheet processing unit. When a transfer unit is used, the gripper unit can be transferred from one sheet material processing unit to the transfer unit and from there to another sheet material processing unit. In this regard, the handover mechanisms at the input and output ends of the transfer unit can be designed differently. As a result, the transfer unit can be used as an adapter unit. Alternatively or additionally, the transfer unit can simply be used to bridge a predetermined distance between two sheet material processing units.

[0015] The transport system may also include a recirculation section configured to transport gripper units that do not have a sheet in the direction from the output end to the input end. The recirculation section is thereby associated with a handover mechanism disposed at the output end and configured to receive a gripper unit from an adjacent sheet material handling unit and couple the received gripper unit to the corresponding transport system. Additionally or alternatively, the recirculation section is associated with a handover mechanism disposed at the input end and configured to decouple a gripper unit from the transport system and provide the gripper unit to an adjacent sheet material handling unit. In other words, a sheet material handling unit can recirculate empty gripper units from its output end to its input end. These gripper units can then be used to process additional sheets. In this way, the gripper units circulate in a closed loop. This is efficient in that only a predetermined number of gripper units are required and the circulation is fully automatic.

[0016] Preferably, the conveying system comprises a belt or chain drive, and the gripper unit is releasably coupled to a corresponding belt or chain. Belt and chain drives have been found to be suitable for sheet material handling units, as they are reliable and precise in operation.

[0017] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by the sheet processing machine according to the present invention, which includes at least two adjacent sheet processing units. The sheet processing units are connected by a first handover mechanism, which is provided at the output end of a first sheet processing unit and configured to decouple the gripper unit from the corresponding transport system and provide the gripper unit to the second sheet processing unit, and a second handover mechanism, which is provided at the input end of the second sheet processing unit and configured to receive the gripper unit from the first sheet processing unit and couple the received gripper unit to the corresponding transport system. In this regard, both of the at least two sheet processing units can actually perform processing steps on the sheet material being processed. Alternatively, one of the at least two sheet processing units can be a transition unit, and only one of the at least two sheet processing units performs processing steps. This provides a high degree of flexibility in that the sheet processing units can be easily combined and connected by corresponding handover mechanisms depending on the processing to be performed. It is also possible to eliminate a processing step by eliminating the corresponding sheet material handling unit and reconnecting the remaining sheet material handling units by their handover mechanisms.

[0018] In a configuration in which one of the at least two sheet material processing units of a sheet material processing machine is a transition unit, a third sheet material processing unit is preferably provided, which is configured to perform a processing step on the sheet material. The transition unit is advantageously arranged between each sheet material processing unit which performs a processing step on the sheet material. In this way, the transition unit can act as an adapter unit as described above. As a result, the sheet material processing units can be freely and flexibly combined.

[0019] Two adjacent sheet processing units can be coupled by a third handover mechanism provided at the input end of the second sheet processing unit, configured to decouple the gripper unit from the corresponding transport system and provide the gripper unit to the first sheet processing unit, and a fourth handover mechanism provided at the output end of the first sheet processing unit, configured to receive the gripper unit from the second sheet processing unit and couple the received gripper unit to the corresponding transport system. This applies to both sheet processing units that actually perform processing steps and sheet processing units that are transition units. Thus, the gripper unit can be recycled to the input end of the sheet processing machine after fulfilling its function of holding the sheet material. Thus, the gripper unit can operate in a closed loop.

[0020] Alternatively, a recirculation module can be provided that includes a transport system for transporting the gripper units from the output end of the second sheet processing unit to the input end of the first sheet processing unit. In this alternative, the gripper units are not recirculated through the sheet processing units, but are recirculated through a separate recirculation module that spans from the output end of the sheet processing machine to its input end. Thus, the sheet processing units can operate as if they were being used in an open-loop configuration. The recirculation module allows the sheet processing machine itself to operate in a closed-loop configuration.

[0021] The recirculation module is particularly advantageous for sheet processing units in which the gripper unit is transported with a sheet or a part thereof at a time-varying speed. In this context, the gripper unit and the corresponding sheet or each element thereof can be periodically accelerated or decelerated. Furthermore, the movement of the gripper unit and the corresponding sheet or each element thereof can be periodically stopped. Such an operating mode can be referred to as a stop-and-go mode. However, the recirculation module can also operate continuously, i.e., transport the gripper unit and the corresponding sheet or each element thereof at a substantially constant speed. In this configuration, the sheet processing unit is subjected to a small inertia when accelerating or decelerating the gripper unit and the corresponding sheet or each element thereof, since the gripper unit is decoupled therefrom during recirculation. This allows the sheet processing unit to be operated at high speeds and / or high accelerations. Additionally, high-quality processing results are guaranteed.

[0022] The sheet processing machine may also include a gripper change module that can be coupled to at least one recirculation section or recirculation module of the sheet processing units. The gripper change module is configured to extract gripper units from the recirculation section or recirculation module and / or supply gripper units to the recirculation section or recirculation module. Thus, the gripper change module can be used to replace gripper units that need maintenance or replacement. Furthermore, the gripper change module can be used to increase or decrease the number of gripper units used in the sheet processing machine. As a result, the gripper change module facilitates the adaptation of the sheet processing machine to different jobs requiring different numbers of gripper units. The gripper change module can operate while sheets are being processed by the sheet processing machine, particularly the sheet processing units. As a result, the gripper change module can perform its functions without having to stop the sheet processing machine.

[0023] The gripper change module may include an input buffer that can store multiple gripper units, so that the gripper units are kept available for replacing or replenishing gripper units in the sheet processing machine, which can therefore be done in a very short time.

[0024] Advantageously, the transport system of the first sheet material handling unit comprises a first transport wheel arranged at its output end, and the transport system of the second sheet material handling unit comprises a second transport wheel arranged at its input end, the first and second transport wheels being arranged substantially coaxially. In this configuration, the first transport wheel activates a release mechanism that disconnects the gripper unit from the transport system of the first sheet material handling unit, and the second transport wheel activates a locking mechanism that connects the gripper unit to the transport system of the second sheet material handling unit, allowing for quick transfer of the gripper unit. This solution also saves space.

[0025] In another embodiment, the transport system of a first sheet material processing unit overlaps with the transport system of a second sheet material processing unit in the processing direction. The area where the transport systems overlap can be called a transition zone. In this area, the gripper unit is coupled to the transport system of the second sheet material processing unit and decoupled from the transport system of the first sheet material processing unit. Preferably, the gripper unit is coupled to the transport system of the second sheet material processing unit before being released from the transport system of the first sheet material processing unit. In this way, the gripper unit is always in a well-defined position.

[0026] In a preferred variant, the transport system of the first sheet processing unit and the transport system of the second sheet processing unit each have a control unit so that the transport systems can be controlled independently of each other. This allows, for example, independent error handling in each sheet processing unit. In particular, positioning errors of the processed sheet can be easily corrected. In addition, independent control units allow for the combination of sheet processing units that rely on different operating speeds. It is also possible to connect a sheet processing unit that operates at a constant speed, such as a feeding unit or an ejection unit, with a sheet processing unit that operates in stop-and-go mode, such as a platen unit or a peeling unit. It should be noted that to ensure a smooth transition between two independently controllable sheet processing units, the two sheet processing units only need to be synchronized during the transfer of the gripper unit from one transport system to the adjacent transport system. For example, if the first unit operates in stop-and-go mode and the second unit operates at a constant speed, both transport systems only need to operate at the same speed during the relatively short period when the gripper is transferred from one transport system to the adjacent transport system.

[0027] The sheet material processing machine may be a platen press, in particular a hot foil stamping machine or a die cutting machine. The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic representation of a sheet material processing machine according to a first embodiment comprising a plurality of sheet material processing units according to the invention; [Figure 2] 2 shows a schematic representation of a sheet material processing machine according to a second embodiment comprising a plurality of sheet material processing units according to the invention; [Figure 3] 3 shows a schematic representation of a sheet material processing machine according to a third embodiment comprising a plurality of sheet material processing units according to the invention; [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the transition zone of the sheet material processing machine of FIGS. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of an alternative transition zone of the sheet material processing machine of FIGS. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a gripper change module that may be part of any one of the sheet material processing machines of FIGS. [Figure 8] 1 shows diagrammatically a fourth embodiment of a sheet material processing machine according to the invention, comprising three sheet material processing units, one of which is a transfer unit; [Figure 9] 9 is a view of the sheet material processing machine according to FIG. 8 along direction IX of FIG. 8; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a sheet material processing machine 10 according to a first embodiment, which is a die-cutting machine. It is adapted to treat sheets 12 which are fed onto an inlet pile 14 and which, after treatment, are placed onto an outlet pile 16 . Following the process direction 18 of the sheet 12 through the sheet material processing machine 10, a total of five sheet material processing units 20-28 are provided.

[0030] In this embodiment, sheet material handling unit 20 is a feeding unit, sheet material handling unit 22 is a platen pressing unit, sheet material handling unit 24 is a peeling unit, sheet material handling unit 26 is a quality control unit, and sheet material handling unit 28 is a delivery unit.

[0031] For ease of explanation, the feeding unit will be designated by reference numeral 20, the platen press unit by reference numeral 22, the peeling unit by reference numeral 24, the quality control unit by reference numeral 26, and the delivery unit by reference numeral 28. Additionally, a recirculation module 30 is provided.

[0032] Each of the sheet material processing units 20-28 has an input end (designated 20i, 22i, 24i, 26i, 28i, respectively) through which the sheet 12 to be processed enters the respective sheet material processing unit 20-28, and an output end (designated 20o, 22o, 24o, 26o, 28o, respectively) through which the sheet 12 exits the respective sheet material processing unit 20-28.

[0033] The feeding unit 20, the platen press unit 22, and the stripping unit 24 each include a respective transport system 32 for transporting the sheet 12 from its respective input end 20i, 22i, 24i to its respective output end 20o, 22o, 24o.

[0034] Each transport system 32 includes a first transport wheel 34 disposed at the output end 20o, 22o, 24o of the corresponding sheet material processing unit 20, 22, 24, and a second transport wheel 36 disposed at the input end 20i, 22i, 24i of the corresponding sheet material processing unit 20, 22, 24. The conveying wheels 34, 36 interact with a belt 38 that is driven and / or guided by the respective conveying wheel 34, 36.

[0035] The recirculation module 30 also includes a conveying system 40 having a belt 42 driven and / or guided by a plurality of associated conveying wheels 44 . 1, the transport system 40 is a shared transport system in the sense that it is also used by the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28. In other words, the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28 do not have separate transport systems like the feeding unit 20, the platen press unit 22, and the peeling unit 24.

[0036] All transport systems 32 are suitable for transporting sheets 12 from a respective input end 20i, 22i, 24i to a respective output end 20o, 22o, 24o. As the sheet 12 does not directly interact with the transport systems 32, 40, a gripper unit 46 is provided suitable for holding the sheet 12. The gripper unit 46 may be coupled to the transport systems 32,40.

[0037] It should be understood that the number of gripper units 46 used in a particular sheet material processing machine 10 may vary depending on the job being performed. In FIG. 1, only two gripper units 46 are shown, but this is due more to ease of explanation than to technical requirements.

[0038] The sheet 12 to be processed is gripped by a gripper unit 46 in the feeding unit 20 and discharged in the delivery unit 28 . The transport system 40 is adapted to transport the gripper unit 46 without the sheet 12 from the output end 24 o of the stripping unit 24 to the input end 20 i of the feeding unit 20 . Therefore, the gripper unit 46 operates in a closed loop.

[0039] Therefore, the gripper units 46 must be transferred from one transport system 32,40 to each adjacent transport system 32,40. To do so, the gripper unit 46 is releasably coupled to the conveying systems 32,40, more precisely to the corresponding belts 38,42.

[0040] Further, each of the input ends 20i, 22i, 24i, 26i includes a handover mechanism 47r configured to receive a gripper unit 46 from an adjacent sheet material processing unit 20-24 or recirculation module 30 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to the respective conveying system 32, 40. In this regard, the input 26 i of the quality control unit serves as the input 30 i of the recirculation module 30 .

[0041] The output ends 20o, 22o, 24o, 30o are provided with handover mechanisms 47d configured to disconnect the gripper units 46 from the respective transport systems 32, 40 and provide the gripper units 46 to the adjacent sheet material handling units 22-24 or recirculation modules 30. The zone where the transfer of the gripper unit 46 takes place is called the transition zone 48 .

[0042] More specifically, the feeding unit 20 is provided with a handover mechanism 47d in a transition zone 48 associated with its output end 20o and configured to disconnect the gripper unit 46 from the conveying system 32 and provide the gripper unit 46 to the conveying system 32 of the platen press unit 22. Furthermore, the feeding unit 20 is provided with a handover mechanism 47r provided in a transition zone 48 associated with its input end 20i and configured to receive a gripper unit 46 that is not carrying a sheet 12 from the recirculation module 30 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to its conveying system 32. Therefore, the feeding unit 20 includes two handover mechanisms 47d and 47r in total.

[0043] The platen press unit 22 may include a handover mechanism 47r disposed in a transition zone 48 associated with its input end 22i and configured to receive the gripper unit 46 carrying the sheet 12 from the feed unit 20 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to its conveying system 32. In addition, the platen press unit 22 is provided with a handover mechanism 47d in a transition zone 48 associated with its output end 22o and configured to disconnect the gripper unit 46 from the conveying system 32 and provide the gripper unit 46 to the conveying system 32 of the peeling unit 24. Therefore, the platen press unit 22 similarly includes a total of two handover mechanisms 47r and 47d.

[0044] The same is true for the stripping unit 24, and the above description applies mutatis mutandis. The conveying system 40 of the recirculation module 30, which is also shared with the quality control unit 26 and the output unit 28, is provided in a transition zone 48 associated with its input ends 26i, 30i and is equipped with a handover mechanism 47r configured to receive the gripper unit 46 carrying the sheet 12 from the peeling unit 24 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to its conveying system 40.

[0045] Furthermore, a handover mechanism 47d is provided in a transition zone 48 associated with its output end 30o and is configured to disconnect the gripper unit 46 from the conveying system 40 and provide the gripper unit 46 to the conveying system 32 of the feeding unit 20. Therefore, the shared transport system 40 of the recirculation module 30 includes two handover mechanisms 47d, 47r.

[0046] The handover mechanisms 47r, 47d and the transition zone 48 are described below in connection with FIGS. Each of the transport systems 32 of the sheet material processing units 20-24 and the transport system 40 of the recirculation module 30 includes a respective control unit 49.

[0047] The control unit 49 is adapted to control the movement of each of the belts 38, 42 so that the position and movement of the gripper units 46 coupled to each of the belts 38, 42 can be precisely controlled. The control units 49 are independent of one another and are therefore capable of operating parts of the conveyor systems 32, 40 continuously, i.e. moving the corresponding belts 38, 42 at a substantially constant speed.

[0048] In the illustrated example, this applies to the feeding unit 20 and the recirculation module 30 . Other conveying systems 32, 40 may be operated in stop-and-go mode, ie the corresponding belts 38, 42 are intermittently accelerated to a predetermined travel speed and then stopped. In the example of FIG. 1, this applies to the platen press unit 22 and the peeling unit 24 .

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a sheet material processing machine 10 according to a second embodiment. In the following, only the differences from the sheet material processing machine 10 according to the first embodiment will be described, and the same or corresponding elements will be given the same reference numerals.

[0050] The sheet material processing machine 10 of FIG. 2 is also a die-cutting machine and includes a feeding unit 20, a platen press unit 22, a peeling unit 24, a quality control unit 26 and a delivery unit 28. In this case, the sheet material processing units 20-24 are also provided with a transport device 32.

[0051] In contrast to the first embodiment, no recirculation module is provided: instead, the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28 share the transport system 32 . The sheet material processing machine 10 of the second embodiment further differs from the sheet material processing machine 10 of the first embodiment in that the gripper unit 46 without the sheet 12 is recirculated by the transport system 32 of the sheet material processing unit 20-28.

[0052] In this regard, the transport system 32 can be subdivided into a processing section 32p and a recirculation section 32r, respectively. The processing section 32p is configured to transport gripper units 46 that hold sheets 12 to be processed in the processing direction 18, i.e. from the respective input ends 20i, 22i, 24i, 26i to the respective output ends 20o, 22o, 24o.

[0053] The processing sections are located in a transition zone 48 and are associated with respective handover mechanisms 47r, 47d which substantially correspond to the handover mechanisms 47r, 47d described with respect to the first embodiment. The recirculation section 32r is configured to transport gripper units 46 without sheets 12 in a direction from the respective output ends 28o, 26o, 24o, 22o, 20o to the respective input ends 20i, 22i, 24i, 26i, 28i.

[0054] For this purpose, the recirculation section 32r is also provided with handover mechanisms 47r, 47d located in the corresponding transition zone 50. The handover mechanisms 47r, 47d of the recirculation section 32r substantially correspond to the handover mechanisms 47r, 47d of the processing section 32p and will be described in detail in connection with Figures 4 to 6 below.

[0055] To this end, the feeding unit 20 is provided with a handover mechanism 47d in a transition zone 48 associated with its output end 20o and configured to disconnect the gripper unit 46 from the conveying system 32 and provide the gripper unit 46 to the conveying system 32 of the platen press unit 22. In addition, the feeding unit 20 is provided with a handover mechanism 47r disposed in a transition zone 50 associated with its output end 20o and configured to receive a gripper unit 46 that is not carrying a sheet 12 from the platen press unit 22 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to its conveying system 32. Therefore, the feeding unit 20 includes two handover mechanisms 47d and 47r in total.

[0056] The platen press unit 22 is provided with a handover mechanism 47r in a transition zone 48 associated with its input end 22i and configured to receive the gripper unit 46 carrying the sheet 12 from the feeding unit 20 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to its conveying system 32. Furthermore, the platen press unit 22 is provided with a handover mechanism 47d provided in a transition zone 48 associated with its output end 22o and configured to disconnect the gripper unit 46 from the conveying system 32 and provide the gripper unit 46 to the conveying system 32 of the peeling unit 24.

[0057] In addition, the platen press unit 22 is provided with a handover mechanism 47r disposed in a transition zone 50 associated with its output end 22o and configured to receive a gripper unit 46 that is not carrying a sheet 12 from the peeling unit 24 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to its conveying system 32. The platen press unit 22 has a further handover mechanism 47d provided in a transition zone 50 associated with its input end 22i and configured to disconnect the gripper unit 46 from the conveying system 32 and provide the gripper unit 46 to the conveying system 32 of the feeding unit 20. Therefore, the platen press unit 22 includes a total of four handover mechanisms 47r, 47d.

[0058] The same is true for the stripping unit 24, and the above description applies mutatis mutandis. The shared transport system 32 of the quality control unit 26 and the output unit 28 is provided in a transition zone 48 associated with its input end 26i and includes a handover mechanism 47r configured to receive the gripper unit 46 carrying the sheet 12 from the peeling unit 24 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to its transport system 32.

[0059] Furthermore, a handover mechanism 47d is provided in a transition zone 50 associated with the input end 26i thereof and is configured to disconnect the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32 and provide the gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the peeling unit 22. Therefore, the combination of the quality control unit 26 and the sending unit 28 comprises a total of two handover mechanisms 47d, 47r.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a sheet material processing machine 10 according to a third embodiment. In the following, only the differences from the sheet material processing apparatus according to the first and second embodiments will be described, and the same or corresponding elements will be given the same reference numerals.

[0061] The sheet material processing machine 10 according to the third embodiment is a hot foil stamping machine, and the platen press unit 22 is adapted accordingly. In contrast to the embodiment described above, this includes a foil handling system 52 with storage facilities for the foils processed by the platen press unit 22 .

[0062] The foil handling system 52 is located within the shared transport system 32 of the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28 . Additionally, the stripping unit 24 has been removed.

[0063] 4 and 5 show transition zones 48, 50 and corresponding handover mechanisms 47r, 47d. In this regard, two belts 38 of the first conveying system 32 and two belts 38 of the second conveying system 32 are shown. To distinguish between the two transport systems 32, elements of the first transport system are given the suffix a, and elements of the second transport system are given the suffix b.

[0064] The first transport system 32a is associated with the feeding unit 20, the platen press unit 22, or the peeling unit 24, for example. The second transport system 32b is associated with the platen press unit 22 or the peeling unit 24, for example.

[0065] The second transport system 32b is disposed behind the first transport system 32a along the process direction 18. In addition, the first transport system 32a overlaps the second transport system 32b in the process direction 18. In the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the gripper unit 46 is coupled via a clamping mechanism 54 to the first transport system 32a, more precisely to the corresponding belt 38a.

[0066] The clamping mechanism 54 includes at least two clamps 56a, 56b that engage the belt 38a such that the belt 38a is clamped between the respective clamp 56a, 56b and the gripper unit 46. To transfer the gripper unit 46 from the first transport system 32a to the second transport system 32b, the clamps 56a, 56b are released from the belt 38a. For this purpose, a handover mechanism 47d is used which disconnects the gripper unit 46 from the first transport system 32a and provides it to the second transport system 32b.

[0067] The handover mechanism 47d is associated with an actor 57a that can interact with the clamps 56a, 56b via a cam or cammed wheel. Subsequently, the handover mechanism 47r associated with the second transport system 32b receives the gripper unit 46 and couples the gripper unit 46 to the second transport system 32b, where the belt 38b is clamped between the respective clamps 56a, 56b and the gripper unit 46.

[0068] The handover mechanism 47r is also associated with an actuator 57b which can interact with the clamps 56a, 56b via a cam or cammed wheel. This transfer procedure is indicated by arrows 58a, 58b. The axes of rotation of clamps 56a, 56b are indicated by reference numerals 60a, 60b, respectively.

[0069] Figure 6 shows transition zones 48, 50 with alternative handover mechanisms 47d, 47r. In this alternative, the first and second transport wheels 34, 36 of adjacent transport systems 32 are arranged substantially coaxially.

[0070] Both the belts 38a of the first transport system 32a and the belts 38b of the second transport system 32b are provided with male clip elements 62. For ease of explanation, only some of the male clip elements 62 are labeled with reference numerals. The gripper unit 46 transferred from the first transfer system 32a to the second transfer system 32b includes a female clip element 64.

[0071] In the condition shown in FIG. 6, the male clip element 62 of the first belt 38 a engages with the female clip element 64 of the gripper unit 46 , thereby forming a clip-on mechanism 66 . Upon further movement in the process direction 18, the male clip elements 62 of the first belt 38a will be decoupled from the gripper unit 46 by the handover mechanism 47d. The gripper unit 46 is then transferred to the second conveying device 32b, and the gripper unit 46, or more precisely the female clip element 64 provided thereon, engages with the male clip element 62 of the second belt 38b by the handover mechanism 47r.

[0072] FIG. 7 illustrates a gripper exchange module 68 that may be coupled to the recirculation section 32r or recirculation unit 30 of any one of the sheet material handling units 20-28 described above. The gripper exchange module 68 includes a gripper extraction section 70 configured to extract the gripper unit 46 from the recirculation section 32r or the recirculation unit 30.

[0073] Additionally, the gripper change module 68 includes a supply section 72 configured to supply the gripper units 46 to the recirculation section 32r or the recirculation unit 30. The feed section 72 includes an input buffer 74 in which, for ease of explanation, three gripper units 46 are stored.

[0074] The gripper replacement module 68 can be used to replace a gripper unit 46 that needs replacement. Furthermore, the gripper exchange module 68 is configured to adapt the number of gripper units 46 used in the sheet material processing machine 10, and therefore to adapt the sheet material processing machine 10 to different jobs requiring different numbers of gripper units 46.

[0075] 8 and 9 show a sheet material processing machine 10 according to a fourth embodiment. Again, only the differences from the sheet material processing machine 10 according to the embodiment described above will be described, and corresponding elements will be given the same reference numerals.

[0076] The sheet material processing machine 10 according to the fourth embodiment comprises three sheet material processing units 20, 22, 24 configured to perform processing steps on the sheets 12 to be processed, which may be of any of the types mentioned in the above embodiments. The sheet material processing unit 22 is a transition unit 76 and is therefore arranged to connect the sheet material processing units 20, 24 from the point of view of the sheet material flow, ie as far as the flow of sheets 12 to be processed is concerned.

[0077] The transport system 32 of the transition unit 76 includes a transition section 32t configured to transport the gripper unit 46 holding the sheet 12 or a portion thereof in a direction from the input end 22i toward the output end 22o of the transition unit 76. The transition section 32t is associated with a handover mechanism disposed at the input end 22i and is configured to receive the gripper unit 46 from the sheet material processing unit 20 and couple the received gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the transition unit 76.

[0078] Additionally, the transition section 32t is associated with a handover mechanism located at the output end 22o and configured to disconnect the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32 of the transition unit 76 and provide it to the sheet material processing unit 24. Both handover mechanisms are configured similarly to the above embodiments, and for ease of explanation, they are not shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0079] The conveying system 32 of the transfer unit 76 includes four belt drives 78a, 78b, 78c, 78d. The belt drives 78a, 78b are located on the same side of the sheet material processing machine 10 and are arranged one above the other so that the gripper unit 46 can be received between the belt drives 78a, 78b. Similarly, belt drives 78c and 78d are disposed on the side of sheet material processing machine 10 opposite to the side on which belt drives 78a and 78b are disposed, and belt drives 78c and 78d are disposed one above the other so that gripper unit 46 can receive belt drives 78c and 78d.

[0080] During operation of the sheet material processing machine 10, the gripper unit 46 provided by the handover mechanism at the output end 20o of the sheet material processing unit 20 can be received by the transport system 32 of the transition unit 76, i.e., between the belt drives 78a, 78b and the belt drives 78c, 78d. When the belt drives 78a-78d are activated, the gripper unit 46 and the sheet 12 connected thereto can be transported from the input end 22i to the output end 22o of the transfer unit 76. At the output end 22 o , the gripper unit 46 and sheet 12 can be provided to a handover mechanism at the input end 24 i of the sheet material handling unit 24 .

[0081] For example, as can be seen by comparing the fourth embodiment sheet processing machine 10 with the transition zone 48 shown in Figure 4, the transition unit 76 makes the sheet processing units 20, 24 compatible, both of which include a transport system 32, where the belts 38 are positioned at substantially equal lateral distances. In this configuration, the belts 38 cannot be positioned in an overlapping manner relative to the process direction 18 . In order to recirculate the gripper units in the direction opposite to the process direction 18, a recirculation module 30 may be provided or the sheet material processing units 20, 22, 24 may be provided with a recirculation section as described above.

Claims

1. At least two adjacent sheet material handling units (20-28), an input end (20i-28i) through which a sheet (12) to be processed enters the sheet material processing unit (20-28); and an output end (20o-28o) through which at least a portion of the sheet (12) exits the sheet material processing unit (20-28); a conveying system (32) for conveying the sheet (12) or a portion thereof from the input end (20i-28i) to the output end (20o-28o); a gripper unit (46) releasably coupled to the transport system (32) and configured to hold at least a portion of one of the sheets (12); Equipped with the input ends (20i-28i) and / or the output ends (20o-28o) comprise handover mechanisms (47d, 47r) configured to decouple the gripper units (46) from the transport systems (32), provide the gripper units (46) to the adjacent sheet material handling units (20-28), and / or receive the gripper units (46) from the adjacent sheet material handling units (20-28) and couple the received gripper units (46) to the corresponding transport systems (32); and the transport system (32) comprises a recirculation section (32r) configured to transport gripper units (46) that are not carrying a sheet (12) from the output ends (20o-28o) in the direction of the input ends (20i-28i); The at least two adjacent sheet material handling units (20-28) are a first handover mechanism (47d) provided at the output end (20o-28o) of a first sheet material processing unit (20-28), configured to disconnect the gripper unit (46) from the corresponding conveying system (32) and provide the gripper unit (46) to a second sheet material processing unit (20-28); a second handover mechanism (47r) provided at the input end (20i-28i) of the second sheet material handling unit (20-28), configured to receive the gripper unit (46) from the first sheet material handling unit (20-28) and to couple the received gripper unit (46) to a corresponding conveying system (32); a third handover mechanism (47d) provided at the input end (20i-28i) of the second sheet material handling unit (20-28), configured to disconnect the gripper unit (46) from the corresponding conveying system (32) and provide the gripper unit (46) to the first sheet material handling unit (20-28); a fourth handover mechanism (47r) provided at the output end (20o-28o) of the first sheet material processing unit (20-28), configured to receive the gripper unit (46) from the second sheet material processing unit (20-28) and to couple the received gripper unit (46) to a corresponding conveying system (32); are joined by Sheet material processing units (20-28).

2. The sheet material handling unit (20-28) of claim 1, wherein the gripper unit (46) is coupled to the transport system (32) via a clip-on mechanism (66) or via a clamping mechanism (54).

3. 3. The sheet material handling unit (20-28) of claim 2, wherein the gripper unit (46) is coupled to the transport system (32) via the clip-on mechanism (66), the transport system (32) comprising one or more male clip elements (62), and the gripper unit (46) comprising one or more corresponding female clip elements (64).

4. 2. The sheet material processing unit (20-28) of claim 1, wherein the gripper unit (46) is coupled to the transport system (32) via a clamping mechanism (54), and the gripper unit (46) comprises at least one switchable clamp (56a, 56b) configured to selectively engage the transport system (32) of the sheet material processing unit (20-28) and / or the transport system (32) of an adjacent sheet material processing unit (20-28).

5. the transport system (32) comprises a processing section (32p) configured to transport a gripper unit (46) for holding a sheet (12) or a portion thereof to be processed in a direction from the input end (20i-28i) to the output end (20o-28o); the processing section (32p) is associated with a handover mechanism (47r) arranged at the input end (20i-28i) and configured to receive a gripper unit (46) from an adjacent sheet material processing unit (20-28) and to couple the received gripper unit (46) to the corresponding transport system (32); and / or The sheet material processing unit (20-28) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing section (32p) is associated with a handover mechanism (47d) arranged at the output end (20o-28o) and configured to decouple the gripper unit (46) from the conveying system (32) and provide the gripper unit (46) to an adjacent sheet material processing unit (20-28).

6. The sheet material processing unit (20-28) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheet material processing unit (20-28) is a feeding unit, preferably including a registration module, a platen press unit, in particular a hot foil stamping unit or a die-cutting unit, a peeling unit, a quality control unit, a digital printing unit, a digital decorating unit, a digital cutting unit, a creasing unit or a delivery unit.

7. the sheet material processing units (20-28) are transition units (76) configured to connect two sheet material processing units (20-28) according to claim 5; the conveying system (32) includes a transition section (32t) configured to convey a gripper unit (46) holding a sheet (12) or a portion thereof from the input end (20i-28i) toward the output end (20o-28o); the transition section (32t) is associated with a handover mechanism disposed at the input end (20i-28i) and configured to receive a gripper unit (46) from an adjacent sheet material handling unit (20-28) and couple the received gripper unit (46) to the corresponding conveying system (32); The sheet material handling unit (20-28) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transition section (32t) is associated with a handover mechanism arranged at the output end (20o-28o) and configured to decouple the gripper unit (46) from the conveying system (32) and provide the gripper unit (46) to an adjacent sheet material handling unit (20-28).

8. the recirculation section (32r) is associated with a handover mechanism (47r) arranged at the output end (20o-28o) and configured to receive a gripper unit (46) from an adjacent sheet material handling unit (20-28) and to couple the received gripper unit (46) to the corresponding transport system (32); and / or A sheet material processing unit (20-28) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a recirculation section (32r) is disposed at the input end (20i-28i) and is associated with a handover mechanism (47d) configured to decouple the gripper unit (46) from the conveying system (32) and provide the gripper unit (46) to an adjacent sheet material processing unit (20-28).

9. 9. A sheet material handling unit (20-28) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conveying system (32) comprises a belt drive or a chain drive, and the gripper unit (46) is releasably coupled to a corresponding belt (38) or chain.

10. A sheet material processing machine (10) comprising the sheet material processing unit (20-28) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The sheet material processing machine (10) includes a recirculation module (30) having a transport system (40) for transporting the gripper unit (46) from the output end (20o-28o) of the second sheet material processing unit (20-28) to the input end (20i-28i) of the first sheet material processing unit (20-28).

11. A gripper change module (68) coupled to at least one recirculation section (32r) of said sheet material processing unit (20-28) or said recirculation module (30); 11. The sheet material processing machine (10) of claim 10, configured to withdraw a gripper unit (46) from the recirculation section (32r) or the recirculation module (30) and / or to feed a gripper unit (46) into the recirculation section (32r) or the recirculation module (30).

12. 12. The sheet material processing machine (10) of claim 10 or 11, wherein the transport system (32) of the first sheet material processing unit (20-28) comprises a first transport wheel (34) arranged at the output end (20o-28o) of the transport system (32), and the transport system (32) of the second sheet material processing unit (20-28) comprises a second transport wheel (36) arranged at the input end (20i-28i) of the transport system (32), and the first transport wheel (34) and the second transport wheel (36) are arranged substantially coaxially.

13. 12. The sheet material processing machine (10) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the transport system (32) of the first sheet material processing unit (20-28) overlaps in the processing direction (18) with the transport system (32) of the second sheet material processing unit (20-28).

14. Sheet material processing machine (10) according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the sheet material processing machine (10) is a platen press, in particular a hot foil stamping machine, or a die cutting machine.

Images