MODULAR SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR SUCTION CUTTING IN AN AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINE FOR LAMINATE MATERIAL

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular cutting support element (4) with aspiration in an automatic cutting machine for sheet material using blades, comprising a plurality of bristles (6) arranged in a single line, at least some of the bristles each having a base (8) rigidly connected to a support plate (10) intended to be mounted on a support, a head (12) opposite the base on which a sheet material to be cut is intended to rest, and a stem (9) connecting the head to the base, the larger cross-section of which is strictly included in the larger cross-section of the head, the support plate comprising, on each of its lateral surfaces, a plurality of transverse channels (18) for the passage of aspirated air providing communication between an upper surface of the support plate from which the bristles extend and an inner surface opposite the upper surface.

Description

MODULAR SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR SUCTION CUTTING IN AN AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINE FOR LAMINATE MATERIAL Field of invention The present invention relates to a cutting support with suction in an automatic machine for cutting sheet materials, particularly textiles, using a vibrating blade that penetrates the cutting support. More precisely, it relates to a modular element intended to form such a cutting support. State of matter One field of application of the invention is the automatic cutting of stacks or pads of sheets of materials, in particular textile materials, using a vibrating blade that penetrates a cutting support with suction. Typically, a vibrating blade cutting machine comprises, in particular, a cutting conveyor that drives the stack of sheets during the cutting operation. This cutting conveyor is housed in a casing in which a high vacuum is created to keep the sheets of material to be cut stationary during the cutting operation. In this type of machine, the cutting conveyor also acts as a penetrating cutting support for the vibrating blade. In fact, it is well known to make the cutting support penetrable by the blade, so that during the cutting operation the blade can not only completely penetrate the material to be cut, but can also extend downwards beyond the support surface and into the material bed, providing such a surface. For this purpose, the cutting support generally consists of a set of blocks driven by a belt. More precisely, each block comprises a plurality of bristles mounted in several parallel rows on a support plate, each bristle having a head that forms the support for the sheet material to be cut. Transverse channels are created through the support plate to allow the passage of aspirated air. These blocks thus hold the material to be cut under suction, allowing the cutting blade to penetrate it. Cutting support blocks are most often obtained by molding a plastic material. Molding allows for the production of a one-piece block with the support plate and the set of bristles. To ensure the demolding of this piece, the bristles, which are generally conical or cylindrical, must have a diameter at the head smaller than the diameter at the base. Reference can be made, in particular, to US patent 4,205,835, which describes one such type of cutting support block. However, because the cutting blades have a beveled tip, the conical shape of the bristles, combined with their flexibility, promotes interference between the blade and the bristles, which can lead to partial or complete bristle cuts. The position of the cut at the top is directly related to the conical shape of the bristles and the blade, or the blade's position relative to the generatrix of the bristles encountered by the blade. Furthermore, the need for bristles with a base diameter larger than the head has the disadvantage of limiting the space on the support plate to produce channels for the passage of aspirated air, thus reducing the suction capacity of the cutting support. Disclosure of the invention Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a cutting support that does not have the disadvantages mentioned above. According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a modular cutting support element with suction in a machine for the automatic cutting of sheet material by means of blades, comprising a plurality of bristles arranged in a single line, at least some of the bristles each having a base rigidly connected to a support plate intended to be mounted on a support, a head opposite the base on which the sheet material to be cut is intended to rest, and a stem connecting the head to the base, the larger cross-section of which is strictly included in the larger cross-section of the head, the support plate comprising, on each of its lateral surfaces, a plurality of transverse channels for the passage of aspirated air providing communication between an upper surface of the support plate from which the bristles extend and an inner surface opposite the upper surface. Here, cross-section will mean a section produced perpendicular to the axis of the sow. Furthermore, here, strictly included will mean that all points of the largest cross-section of the sow's shank are included (or encompassed) within the largest cross-section of the sow's head, but that at least one point of the largest cross-section of the head is not included within the largest cross-section of the shank. For example, when the sow's head and shank each have a circular cross-section, this condition is equivalent to one where the cross-section of the head has a diameter strictly larger than that of the shank. The invention is characterized by the fact that it allows for the creation of cutting supports by mounting a plurality of modular elements on at least one support. Since each modular element comprises bristles arranged in the same single line, it is possible to give at least some of the bristles a head having a cross-section that spans a cross-section of the shank, while maintaining the ability to manufacture these modular elements by molding them as a single piece with their support plate and bristles. This geometric shape of the bristles has the advantage of limiting interactions between the tip of the cutting blade and the tangential bristles. ινΐΛ / a / zuzz / uii ou¿ Furthermore, the support surface offered by these modular elements is superior because the bristle heads have a larger cross-section than the shanks. Additionally, by reducing the cross-section of the shanks and bristle bases, it is easier to increase the diameter of the transverse channels for the passage of aspirated air, thereby improving the air permeability of the support plate to maintain maximum suction and limit pressure drops. Another advantage related to the production of cutting supports by assembling a plurality of modular elements according to the invention lies in the possibility of being able to offer cutting supports differentiated by cutting blade, loom, etc. The support plate preferably also includes, on each of its lateral surfaces, at least one longitudinal channel extending between the longitudinal ends of the support plate and communicating with the transverse channels to distribute the aspirated air evenly in said transverse channels. This feature allows for more uniform air intake of the modular element across the entire surface of the support plate. The support plate also preferably comprises, on each of its side surfaces, at least one mounting element for mechanical mounting with another modular element. In this case, each mechanical mounting element may comprise at least one projection that protrudes from a lateral surface of the support plate and is intended to fit into a corresponding recess of a mounting element of an adjacent modular element, and a recessed recess from the lateral surface of the support plate and is intended to receive, by interlocking, a corresponding projection of the mounting element of the adjacent modular element. At least some bristles may comprise a head that is truncated cone-shaped and a shank that is cylindrical. In this case, the head of these bristles may be truncated cone-shaped with a circular cross-section on the inner side that is larger than that on the outer side. Alternatively, the head of these bristles may be inverted truncated cone-shaped with a circular cross-section on the outer side that is larger than that on the inner side. Alternatively, at least some bristles may have a shank and a head that has a polygonal cross-section, for example, a shank with a hexagonal cross-section and a head with an octagonal cross-section. The support plate may further comprise a clamping device at each longitudinal end for assembling the modular element onto a support, and two inwardly projecting fins that act as centering elements on the support. The transverse channels can have a semicircular cross-section to form cylindrical transverse passages when another modular element is mounted against said element. The bristles of a single modular element can be arranged in a straight line forming a single MA / a / ZUZZ / UI 1 ouz row of bristles. Alternatively, the bristles can be arranged in a dashed line forming two parallel rows of bristles. The modular element may comprise at least two bristles, whose respective heads have different shapes. Another object of the invention is a suction cutting support for an automatic sheet material cutting machine comprising a plurality of modular elements as defined above and mounted on at least one support. The modular elements can be mounted on the support to achieve an orderly alignment of the bristles. Alternatively, modular elements can be mounted on the support to achieve an alternating alignment of the bristles. Another alternative is to mount some modular elements on the support to achieve an orderly alignment of the bristles and other modular elements on the same support to achieve an alternating alignment of the bristles. The distance between two adjacent bristles is preferably greater than the largest dimension of the bristle shank's cross-section. This feature makes it possible to prevent a cut bristle that reaches the bottom of the block from spreading to the surrounding bristles. Brief description of the drawings [FIG. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cutting support block according to an embodiment of the invention (configuration called ordered). [FIG. 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modular element for obtaining the cutting support of Figure 1. [FIG. 3] Figure 3 is a front view of the modular element in Figure 2. [FIG. 4] Figure 4 is a side view of the modular element in Figure 2. [FIG. 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cutting support block according to another embodiment of the invention (configuration called intercalated). [FIG. 6] Figure 6 is a partial top view of the cutting support block of Figure 5. [FIG. 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modular element for obtaining the cutting support block of Figure 5. [FIG. 8] Figure 8 is a view of a modular element bristle head according to an alternative modality. [FIG. 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modular element according to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention. [FIG. 10A] Figure 10A shows an alternative arrangement of the bristles of the same modular element according to the invention. [FIG. 10B] Figure 10B shows another alternative arrangement of the bristles of the same modular element according to the invention. [FIG. 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a modular element according to the invention without a mechanical mounting element. [FIG. 12] Figure 12 is a partial view of a modular element according to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention. Description of the modalities The conveyor of a vibrating blade cutting machine can propel the material to be cut during the cutting operation. The upper part of the conveyor acts as a cutting support, and the lower part is usually housed in a casing where a high vacuum is created to keep the material stationary during the cutting operation. The cutting support itself can typically consist of an assembly of a plurality of blocks mounted on a band, such as cutting support block 2 shown in Figure 1. This cutting support block 2 is composed of a plurality of modular elements 4 (for example, eleven in the configuration shown in Figure 1). The modular elements are assembled by interlocking their respective side surfaces as described below. As shown more precisely in Figures 2 and 3, each modular element 4 according to the invention comprises a plurality of bristles 6 that are aligned along the same single row of bristles. These bristles 6 each have a base 8 that is rigidly attached to a support plate 10 common to the bristle assembly, a head 12 that is opposite the base and is intended to serve as a cutting support, and a shank 9 that connects the base to the head Furthermore, each sow 6 has the particularity of possessing a head 12 whose largest cross-section (in other words, the largest section made perpendicular to the main axis of the sow) encompasses the largest cross-section of its shank 9. In other words, the largest cross-section of the head is strictly larger than the largest cross-section of the shank 9 (i.e., it surrounds it being larger). For example, as shown in Figure 4, when the head 12 and the stem 9 of the sow each have a circular cross-section, the larger cross-section of the head has a diameter D that is strictly larger than the larger diameter d of the stem's cross-section. Furthermore, in this modality, the head 12 of each sow has an inverted truncated cone shape, having a circular cross-section on the outside that is larger than that on the inside (i.e., the large base B of the truncated cone is arranged towards the outside of the modular element and the small base b of the truncated cone is oriented towards the inside). Of course, the invention is not limited to these particular geometric shapes of the bristle, its head, and its base. For example, it is possible to imagine that the base has a truncated conical shape or a polygonal pyramid shape, and the head has a cross-section other than circular (square, hexagonal, etc.). To allow the mechanical assembly of several modular elements 4 to each other, the support plate 10 of each of them may comprise, on each of its two side surfaces 10a, 10b, at least one mechanical mounting element 13 with another modular element. For example, each of the side surfaces 10a, 10b of the support plate of a modular element may be provided with four mechanical mounting elements separated from each other, namely: an end mounting element 13a at each of its longitudinal ends 10c, 10d and two center mounting elements 13b placed between its longitudinal ends. Again, as a non-limiting example, the mounting elements 13 of the two side surfaces of a modular element can be aligned opposite each other. As shown more precisely in the example in Figure 3, the mechanical mounting elements 13 may each comprise at least a protrusion 14 projecting from the side surface of the support plate and a recessed indentation 16 from the side surface of the support plate, the protrusion and indentation, for example, being positioned transversely one above the other. During the mechanical assembly of two modular elements, the protrusions 14 of the mechanical mounting elements of one of the modular elements interlock within the grooves 16 of the mechanical mounting elements of the other modular element (and vice versa) with retention that can be provided by an adhesive or by clipping, for example. The assembly of several modular elements ensures the continuity of the upper surface of the support plate. Alternatively, the modular elements could simply be placed on either side of a block or directly onto a support and held together by a suitable mechanism. Again according to the invention, the two side surfaces 10a, 10b of the support plate 10 of the modular element each comprise a plurality of transverse channels 18 that provide communication between the outer surface of the support plate (in other words, the surface from which the bristles extend) and its inner surface (in other words, the surface opposite the outer surface). These transverse channels 18, which are advantageously distributed regularly over the entire length of the support plate, give porosity to the support plate by allowing aspirated air to pass through the support plate. As an example, the 18 cross channels can each have a semicircular cross section to form cylindrical cross passages when two modular elements are mounted against each other. Of course, it is possible to foresee a different shape for the cross-section of the transverse channels, for example, an elliptical, polygonal or other shape. According to an advantageous arrangement, the support plate further comprises, on each of its two lateral surfaces 10a, 10b, a longitudinal channel 20 that extends between its two longitudinal ends 10c, 10d and that communicates with the transverse channels 18 to distribute air drawn in uniformly in the latter. As an example, the longitudinal channel 20 can have a semicircular cross-section to form a cylindrical longitudinal passage when two modular elements are mounted against each other. Of course, it is possible to foresee a different shape for the cross-section of the longitudinal channel, for example, an elliptical, polygonal or other shape. According to another advantageous arrangement, the support plate 10 of the modular element further comprises at least one hook-shaped clamping device 22 at each of its longitudinal ends 10c, lOd and two fins 24 projecting into the support plate. The hook-shaped clamping devices 22 allow the cutting support block, formed by assembling several modular elements, to be mounted on a support (not shown) intended to be mounted directly onto the cutting conveyor belt. The fins 24 act as centering elements on the support. Of course, it is possible to envision other types of clamping devices for mounting the modular elements to a block or directly onto a cutting stand. For example, these clamping devices could be T-shaped. In the configuration of figures 1 to 4, the modular elements are mounted within the same block to obtain an orderly alignment of bristles, in other words, so that the bristles 6 within the same block 2 are aligned in the longitudinal and transverse directions. In another configuration shown by figures 5 to 7, at least some of the modular elements of the same block can be assembled to obtain an interleaved alignment of the bristles. Thus, in block 2' shown in Figures 5 and 6, modular elements 4-1 to 4-4 are assembled to obtain an ordered alignment of the bristles, while modular elements 4'-1 to 4'-4 are assembled to obtain an alternating alignment of the bristles. Of course, other configurations are possible according to requirements, by mixing the two types of modular elements. Figure 7 shows in detail and in perspective a modular element 4' for obtaining a stepped set of bristles within the same support block. OU¿ In comparison with the modality of figures 1 to 4, this modular element 4' differs by the shape of the transverse channels 18' for the passage of aspirated air between the inner surface and the outer surface of the support plate 10. Indeed, in this mode, the transverse channels 18' of the modular element 4' each have a double semicircle cross-section to form bean-shaped transverse passages 26 when another modular element is mounted on said element (see figure 6). In addition, a longitudinal channel 20' extending between the longitudinal ends of the support plate communicates with the transverse channels 18' to evenly distribute the aspirated air in the latter. Figure 8 shows a modular element bristle head according to an alternative modality, this bristle shape being equally applicable to the modular elements of the modality in figures 1 to 4 as well as to those of the modality in figures 5 to 7. In this alternative modality, the head 12' of the bristles 6' has a truncated conical shape, having a circular cross-section on the inner side larger than on the outer side (i.e., the small base b' of the truncated cone is arranged towards the outside of the modular element and the large base B' of the truncated cone is oriented towards the inside). In this alternative embodiment, the head 12' also has a circular cross-section for which the larger cross-section (in other words, at the large base B'j) has a diameter D' that is strictly larger than the larger diameter d[ of the circular cross-section of the bristle stem 9'. Furthermore, whatever the alternative arrangement of the bristles of the modular elements 4, 4', the shank 9, 9' of each bristle 6, 6' can be cylindrical between its head 12, 12' and its base 8, 8'. Of course, any other shape is also possible (for example, with a cross-section that is square, polygonal, etc.). Thus, Figure 9 shows yet another alternative modality of a modular cutting support element 4, where the stem 9 of the bristles 6 has a hexagonal cross-section between the head 12 and the base 8. In addition, in this alternative modality, the head 12 has an octagonal cross-section. This general shape of the bristles 6, 6', 6 and the production of modular elements comprising single rows of bristles allow the latter to be manufactured by molding in one piece. In particular, such a configuration makes it possible to overcome the bristle shape limitations that were previously required for demolding. Of course, other manufacturing methods for the modular elements can be considered, for example, through additive manufacturing or any other industrial manufacturing process. It should be noted again that not all bristles of the same modular element necessarily have a head whose cross-section encompasses the largest cross-section of the shank. In fact, it is possible to foresee that only some of the bristles of the same modular element will exhibit such a characteristic, the other bristles of the modular element having a head section identical to that of their shank. Furthermore, Figures 10A and 10B show two possible arrangements of the bristles 6, 6', 6 of the same modular element 4, 4'. In the exemplary arrangement of Figure 10A, the bristles of a single modular element are arranged in a straight line L1, forming a single row of bristles. In other words, the respective longitudinal axes of the bristles are all aligned in the same straight line Ll. Alternatively, in the configuration of Figure 10B, the bristles of the same modular element can be arranged along a discontinuous (or sawtooth) line L2, to form two parallel rows of bristles R1, R2. Whichever alternative method is used, it will be observed that the modular element can be manufactured by molding in a single piece. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the modular element 4 according to the invention may not have any mechanical mounting elements. In this case, the modular elements of the same support are simply placed against each other on the same support and held together by a suitable mechanism. Figure 12 shows, in part, another alternative modality of a modular cutting support element 4', where the bristle heads have different shapes. Thus, in the exemplary form of figure 12, the modular element comprises alternate bristles 6a for which the respective head 12a has a truncated conical shape whose large base is oriented outwards and bristles 6b for which the respective head 12b has a truncated conical shape in which the large base is oriented inwards. This alternation of the bristle heads from the head to the tail has the advantage of increasing the apparent density of the bristles, which increases tissue grip. Of course, it is possible to plan for any other configuration (with various different bristle head shapes) according to the needs. Furthermore, this alternative configuration can be combined with other alternative configurations described above.

Claims

1. A modular element (4; 4'; 4; 4') of a cutting support (2; 2') with suction in a machine for the automatic cutting of sheet material by means of blades, comprising a plurality of bristles (6; 6'; 6; 6a-6b) arranged in a single line (L1; L2), each having at least a few bristles, a base (8; 8'; 8) rigidly connected to a support plate (10) intended to be mounted on a support, a head (12; 12'; 12; 12a-12b) opposite the base on which a sheet material to be cut is intended to rest, and a stem (9; 9'; 9) connecting the head to the base, the larger cross-section of which is strictly included in the larger cross-section of the head, the support plate comprising, on each of its lateral surfaces (10a, 10b), a plurality of transverse channels (18;18 j for the passage of aspirated air that provide communication between an upper surface of the support plate from which the bristles extend and an internal surface opposite the upper surface.; 2. The modular element according to claim 1, wherein the support plate (10) further comprises, on each of its lateral surfaces (10a, 10b), at least one longitudinal channel (20; 20j) extending between the longitudinal ends (10c, 10d) of the support plate and communicating with the transverse channels (18; 18j) to evenly distribute the aspirated air in said transverse channels.

3. The modular element according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the support plate further comprises, on each of its lateral surfaces, at least one member (13) for mechanical mounting with another modular element.

4. The modular element according to claim 3, wherein each mounting member (13) comprises at least one projection (14) extending from a side surface (10a, 10b) of the support plate and intended to engage in a corresponding recess of a mounting element of an adjacent modular element, and a recess (16) set back from the side surface of the support plate and intended to receive, by interlocking, a corresponding projection of the mounting element of the adjacent modular element.

5. The modular element according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least some bristles (6; 6j) comprise a head (12; 12') having a truncated conical shape and a stem (9; 9j) having a cylindrical shape.

6. The modular element according to claim 5, wherein the head (12j) of each bristle (6j) has a truncated conical shape having a circular cross-section on the inner side that is larger than the outer side.

7. The modular element according to claim 5, wherein the head (12) of each bristle (6) has an inverted truncated conical shape having a circular cross-section on the outer side larger than on the inner side.

8. The modular element according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least some bristles (6) have a stem (9) and a head (12) with a polygonal cross-section.

9. The modular element according to claim 8, wherein the stem (9) of the bristles has a hexagonal cross-section and the head (12) of said bristles has an octagonal cross-section.

10. The modular element according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the support plate (10) further comprises a clamping device (22) at each longitudinal end for mounting the modular element on a support and two inwardly projecting fins (24) that act as centering elements on the support.

11. The modular element according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transverse channels (18) have a semicircular cross-section to form cylindrical transverse passages when another modular element is mounted against said element.

12. The modular element according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein said element is obtained by molding.

13. The modular element according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bristles (6; 6'; 6) are arranged in a straight line (Ll) forming a single row of bristles.

14. The modular element according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bristles (6; 6'; 6) are arranged in a dashed line (L2) forming two parallel rows (R1, R2) of bristles.

15. The modular element (4') according to any of claims 1 to 14, comprising at least two bristles (6a, 6b) whose respective heads (12a, 12b) have different shapes.

16. A cutting support (2; 2j with suction in a machine for the automatic cutting of sheet material comprising a plurality of modular elements (4; 4j according to any of claims 1 to 15 mounted on at least one support.

17. The cutting support (2) according to claim 16, wherein the modular elements (4) are mounted on the support to obtain an orderly alignment of the bristles.

18. The cutting support (2) according to claim 16, wherein the modular elements (4 j) are mounted on the support to obtain an interleaved alignment of the bristles.

19. The cutting support according to claim 16, wherein modular elements are mounted on the support to obtain an orderly alignment of the bristles and other modular elements are mounted on the same support to obtain an interleaved alignment of the bristles.

20. The cutting support according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the distance between two adjacent bristles is greater than the larger dimension of the cross-section of the bristle shank.

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