Apparatus and method for loading in continuous laminar material into a processing machine

Abstract

The present invention concerns an apparatus (40) for loading in continuous a laminar material into a processing machine (1) comprising: a plurality of feed guides (41-44) extending along respective feed directions (D1-D4), each feed guide being configured to receive laminar material and being in communication with a respective inlet (45a-45b) for inserting the laminar material, wherein the feed directions (D1-D4) converge towards a material introduction position (P), the apparatus (40) further comprising a feeder (81; 96) arranged at the material introduction position (P) and configured to receive laminar material from any feed guide of the plurality of feed guides (41-44). The present invention also concerns a method for loading in continuous a laminar material.

Description

[0001] Apparatus and method for loading in continuous laminar material into a processing machine

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention concerns an apparatus for loading in continuous laminar material into a processing machine, in particular for loading paper material, and a relative method.

[0004] In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for introducing a relatively rigid raw laminar material, e.g. cardboard or paperboard, into an automatic processing machine. The processing machine is, in preferred embodiments, a machine for packaging boxes of paper material, in particular for packaging boxes of variable format in shape, size and / or types of in-line processing. In further embodiments, the processing machine is a machine for packaging envelopes or bags of paper material, in particular in a format that varies in shape, size and / or types of in-line processing.

[0005] Typically, the raw laminar material is in a "continuous form" that initially extends in a longitudinal direction and has a uniform width. Where loading is carried out by means of an automated process, the laminar material in continuous form is a continuous fanfolded sheet (in English, the so-called "fanfold"). In particular, the continuous sheet is subjected to a process for forming fold lines transverse relative to the longitudinal direction and equidistant from each other so as to divide the sheet into sections of sheet having a same length. The adjacent sheet sections are stacked on top of each other by fan folding. In this way, the sheet stack can be arranged near the processing machine.

[0006] Alternatively, the laminar material may be fed in continuous into the processing machine by one or more feed reels comprising a continuous sheet winding.

[0007] The laminar material can also be conveyed into the processing machine as single sheets, for example pre-cut dies of different sizes from each other.

[0008] The introduction in continuous of the laminar material into the processing machine can take place, for example, by means of a mechanism that drags the laminar material to insert it into the processing machine. The dragging mechanism may comprise a guide that directs the material introduction path. The guide can be configured to change the orientation of the material from a substantially vertical or oblique position to a substantially horizontal position for the introduction of the material into the processing machine.

[0009] The automated processes for processing raw material, such as corrugated paperboard, often involve the packaging of products with different shapes and sizes, as well as having different final characteristics, such as, for example, the presence of writing or adhesives, the way the box is closed, longitudinal or transverse creases or cuts of material. The continuous sheets may have sheet sections of different length and / or width. In these cases, the loading apparatus provides a plurality of stacks of continuous sheet or discrete sheets or reels of continuous sheet that are introduced into the processing machine along different introduction paths.

[0010] In order to be able to manage the entry into the processing machine relatively quickly, the insertion of the material along the different introduction paths, upstream of the processing machine, a material loading device configured to guide the material can be provided.

[0011] The automated processing machines often provide an electronic system for managing product production cycles. With production cycle generally is meant the time elapsed between the preparation of a die obtained from a continuous sheet of raw material to the packaged box that houses in its inside one or more articles. At the beginning of a new cycle, the electronic management system is typically configured to move forward the continuous sheet of a stack or reel of laminar material to be processed up to the entry of the processing machine.

[0012] The Applicant noted that a relatively high processing speed is increasingly required, for example production cycles for each box in a time of 2 to 4 seconds. Almost immediate product changes, for example between successive production cycles, may require a format change of the raw material. The Applicant observed that this often implies stopping, at the inlet of the processing machine, the fanfold material of the stack from which the previous box had been packaged. A stop of the material at the inlet of the processing machine, albeit for a relatively short time, can slow down the production cycle in a variable way, in view of the fact that the slowing down of the processing also depends on the production needs.

[0013] The processing machine typically comprises a conveyor, for example a conveyor belt, on which the die cut from the continuous sheet of a stack or reel is arranged to proceed along a processing line at a certain, often substantially constant, advancement speed. The die typically passes through a plurality of forming stations. A stop or a delay in the introduction of the material into the processing machine may not guarantee a constant advancement speed of the conveyor or increase the time of the production cycle with a consequent decrease in the productivity of the plant.

[0014] The Applicant has understood that, in an apparatus for loading from multiple sources of laminar material, the provision of a plurality of material advancement paths that progressively converge towards each other in a substantial correspondence of a feeder configured for the insertion of material in the machine would allow to speed up the change of material. In particular, it would be possible to manage the movements both forward and backward of the materials upstream of the feeder so as to be able to make the material change quickly.

[0015] In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for loading laminar material into a processing machine. The processing machine is, in preferred embodiments, a machine for packaging boxes of paper material.

[0016] In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for loading in continuous laminar material into a processing machine.

[0017] Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of feed guides extending along respective feed directions.

[0018] Preferably, each feed guide is configured to receive laminar material. Equally preferred, each feed guide is configured to receive laminar material, in particular fanfold material.

[0019] Preferably, each feed guide is in communication with a respective inlet for the insertion of the laminar material.

[0020] Preferably, the feed directions converge towards a material introduction position. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a feeder arranged at the material introduction position.

[0021] Preferably, the feeder is configured to receive said laminar material from any feed guide of the plurality of feed guides.

[0022] The provision of feed guides extending along distinct and converging directions for the movement of the laminar material in the advancement or retraction directions allows to perform a change of laminar material in the feeder in a reduced time. In particular, the retraction of a first laminar material from the feeder and the advancement of a second laminar material towards the feeder can take place simultaneously as the feed directions of the respective feed guides are independent of each other.

[0023] Preferably, the feeder comprises a passage opening.

[0024] Preferably, the passage opening is switchable between a first configuration wherein the feeder exerts a pulling action on the laminar material and a second configuration wherein the feeder does not exert any pulling action on the laminar material.

[0025] Preferably, the material introduction position is a position of convergence of the feed directions.

[0026] Preferably, each guide of the plurality of guides comprises a respective sliding surface extending along a respective feed direction of the plurality of feed directions.

[0027] In preferred embodiments, the sliding surface is a planar surface extending in the respective feed direction and in a direction perpendicular to the respective feed direction.

[0028] Preferably, the material introduction position is arranged downstream of the plurality of feed guides in relation to an advancement direction of each feed direction.

[0029] Preferably, the feed guides extend, along the respective feed directions, from a respective material insertion inlet to a respective outlet.

[0030] Preferably, the material introduction position is arranged downstream of the plurality of outlets of the respective feed guides. In particular, the material introduction position is arranged downstream of the outlets in relation to an advancement direction of the linear material of the respective feed directions.

[0031] Preferably, the inlets for inserting laminar material are arranged in sequence in a first extension direction, the first extension direction being transverse to the feed directions.

[0032] Preferably, the laminar material is a paper material.

[0033] By the expression "paper material" is meant a material based on paper or paper pulp in the form of individual sheets or panels or sheets or panels that are superimposed on one another or interspersed with one or more corrugated sheets in which the weight to surface ratio (grammage) is comprised between about 100 grams per square meter and about 1000 grams per square meter. For example, the paper material is corrugated paperboard, such as single, double or triple wave corrugated paperboard.

[0034] Preferably, the feeder comprises a motorized feed roller and an associated idle feed roller. The motorized feed roller is arranged at the material introduction position.

[0035] Preferably, the motorized feed roller is tangent to a drag plane comprising the material introduction position.

[0036] Preferably, the first and second configuration of the passage opening of the feeder define a first and second relative distance between the idle feed roller and the associated motorized feed roller. The relative distances are defined in an aperture direction that is transverse to the drag plane.

[0037] Preferably, the motorized feed roller and the associated first idle feed roller are arranged at opposite sides relative to a direction transverse to the drag plane. Preferably, in the first configuration, the idle feed roller and the motorized feed roller are arranged at the first relative distance and are configured to engage the laminar material by exerting a pulling action in a pulling direction moving away from the material introduction position.

[0038] The second relative distance is greater than the first relative distance. Preferably, in the second configuration, the idle feed roller and the motorized feed roller are arranged at the second relative distance at which the idle feed roller and the motorized feed roller are configured to disengage the laminar material.

[0039] Preferably, the idle feed roller is operatively connected to a first feed shaft. The first feed shaft is configured to rotate between a first angular position corresponding to the first relative distance and a second angular position corresponding to the second relative distance.

[0040] In preferred embodiments, the feeder comprises a plurality of motorized feed rollers and a respective plurality of idle feed rollers.

[0041] Preferably, the plurality of motorized feed rollers and the plurality of idle feed rollers are arranged at opposite sides relative to a direction transverse to the drag plane.

[0042] In particular, between each motorized feed roller and the respective idle feed roller a passage opening is defined which is switchable between the first and the second configuration, the passage opening extending in an aperture direction transverse to the drag plane. In one embodiment, the aperture direction is substantially perpendicular to the drag plane.

[0043] Preferably, each idle feed roller is operatively connected to the first feed shaft. The idle feed rollers are arranged side-by-side in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the first feed shaft.

[0044] Preferably, the motorized rollers of the plurality of motorized feed rollers are rotatably supported by the second feed shaft. The motorized feed rollers are arranged side-by-side along the second feed shaft.

[0045] Preferably, the first feed shaft and the second feed shaft extend in respective substantially parallel extension directions.

[0046] Preferably, the axis of the first feed shaft and the axis of the second feed shaft are parallel to the axes of rotation of the plurality of motorized rollers and of the idle feed rollers.

[0047] Preferably, the idle feed rollers are rotatably supported by a respective arm hinged to the first feed shaft. The first feed shaft is operatively connected to an actuation device configured to actuate the first feed shaft to rotate between the first angular position and the second angular position. In this way, they rotate the motorized feed rollers (synchronously) between the first and second configuration.

[0048] Preferably, at each feed guide, a respective entrainer is provided operating on the laminar material. Each entrainer is configured to move the laminar material forward towards the material introduction position or away from the material introduction position along the respective feed direction.

[0049] Preferably, each entrainer comprises a first motorized drag roller and an associated first idle drag roller. Preferably, the first motorized drag roller and the first idle drag roller are actuatable to engage the laminar material by moving it along the respective feed direction, forward or backward to / from the material position point.

[0050] Preferably, the first motorized drag roller and the associated first idle drag roller of each entrainer are arranged at opposite sides relative to a direction transverse to the respective feed direction.

[0051] Preferably, each entrainer further comprises a second motorized drag roller and an associated second idle drag roller. The second motorized drag roller and the second idle drag roller are actuatable to engage the laminar material by moving it along the respective feed direction.

[0052] Preferably, the first motorized drag roller and the second motorized drag roller are arranged at a distance from each other along the feed direction of the respective feed guide. Preferably, the first motorized drag roller and the second motorized drag roller are configured to rotate synchronously in opposite directions for moving forward and backward the laminar material in the respective feed guide.

[0053] Preferably, the second motorized drag roller and the second idle drag roller are arranged at opposite sides relative to a direction transverse to the respective feed direction.

[0054] Preferably, each entrainer of the plurality of entrainers comprises a plurality of first motorized drag rollers rotatably supported by a first drag shaft, the first motorized drag rollers being arranged side-by-side along an extension direction of the first drag shaft. Each entrainer comprises a corresponding plurality of associated first idle drag rollers operatively connected to a second drag shaft, wherein the first idle drag rollers are arranged side-by-side along an extension direction of the second drag shaft.

[0055] Preferably, each sliding surface of the respective feed guides is a planar surface extending in a respective feed direction and in a direction perpendicular to the respective feed direction and the first and second drag shafts extend in respective extension directions parallel to each other and parallel to the perpendicular direction of the plane comprising the respective feed direction.

[0056] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a cutting device configured to cut the laminar material, wherein the cutting device is arranged downstream of the material introduction position, in particular downstream of said feeder in relation to the pulling direction.

[0057] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the appended drawings and provided by way of indicative and non-limiting example, in which:

[0058] Figure 1 is a partially sectional side view of a material introduction apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0059] Figure 2 is a side view of a continuous conveying system of laminar material in a processing machine comprising the material loading apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure, according to an embodiment;

[0060] Figures 3 to 5 are side views of a portion of the material introduction apparatus of Figure 1 illustrating a sequence of operating conditions of the apparatus in accordance with an implementing example;

[0061] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of an entrainer for moving laminar material, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0062] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a conceptual representation of the operation of the apparatus of the previous figures in two different configurations, and

[0063] Figures 8A and 8B are perspective views showing a feeder, in the two different configurations, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0064] The representations in the attached figures do not necessarily have to be understood in scale and do not necessarily respect the proportions between the various parts. In the figures, the same or similar elements of different embodiments will be indicated with the same reference numbers. For clarity, only such elements and steps that are useful in understanding the present invention have been shown in the drawings and will be described.

[0065] Figure 1 is a partially sectional side view of an apparatus 40 for loading in continuous laminar material, hereinafter also indicated with material loading apparatus, in a processing machine 1 (schematically indicated in Figure 2). In preferred embodiments, the laminar material is a paper material, e.g. corrugated paperboard, in the form of a continuous sheet. The processing machine is configured to process the paper material into a finished product, for example a packaging box. The side view of Figure 1 is in a plane YZ and the parts illustrated in section have a section plane parallel to the plane YZ.

[0066] The plane YZ is defined by a longitudinal axis Y and a vertical axis Z. A transverse axis X, not visible in the figure, forms a right-hand triad with the longitudinal and vertical axes Y and Z, being therefore outgoing from the sheet in Figure 1 .

[0067] The apparatus 40 for loading material comprises a plurality of laminar material loading inlets 45a, 45b, 45c and 45d, in the non-limiting example four loading inlets.

[0068] Each material loading inlet is in communication with a respective feed guide of a plurality of feed guides 41-44, each feed guide being configured to receive laminar material, e.g., a continuous sheet of corrugated paperboard.

[0069] In particular, a first inlet 45a is connected to a first feed guide 41 , a second inlet 45b is connected to a second feed guide 42, a third inlet 45c is connected to a third feed guide 43, and a fourth inlet 45d is connected to a fourth feed guide 44. The plurality of inlets 45a-45d are arranged in sequence along a first extension direction E transverse to the longitudinal axis Y, in particular parallel to the vertical axis Z.

[0070] The inlets 45a-45d are arranged at a distance from each other along the first extension direction E. At the material loading inlets 45a-45d, the feed guides 41 - 44 are arranged at a distance from each other along the first extension direction E transverse to the longitudinal axis Y, in the example of the figures, in particular, parallel to the vertical axis Z.

[0071] In the example of the figures, each material loading inlet 45a-45d corresponds to the inlet of the respective feed guide 41-44.

[0072] The feed guides 41 -44 extend along respective feed directions D1 -D4 converging with each other. The first extension direction E of the plurality of inlets 45a-45d is transverse to the feed directions D1 -D4 of the feed guides 41 -44.

[0073] In particular, the feed directions progressively converge relative to each other towards a common position P, indicated below with material introduction position. The material introduction position P is a converging position of the feed directions D1 -D4.

[0074] The feed guides 41 -44 extend from a respective inlet 45a-45d to a respective outlet 52a-52d.

[0075] The first feed guide 41 extends along a first feed direction D1 , the second feed guide 42 extends along a second feed direction D2, the third feed guide 43 extends along a third feed direction D3, and the fourth feed guide extends along a fourth feed direction D4.

[0076] The material introduction position P is arranged downstream of the plurality of outlets 52a-52d, in relation to an advancement direction of the laminar material in the respective feed directions D1 -D4.

[0077] Each feed guide 41-44 has a sliding surface 51 a-51 d (indicated in Figure 3) extending in the respective feed direction D1-D4.

[0078] Each sliding surface 51 a-51 d, for example a planar surface, is configured to slide the laminar material (not indicated in Figure 1 ) in the two opposite directions along the respective feed direction, i.e. in both travel directions.

[0079] In one embodiment, each feed guide 41-44 has a generally channel shape with opposite sliding surfaces within which the laminar material moves forward or backward.

[0080] At each feed guide 41 -44, a respective entrainer 55-58 is arranged which is configured to be operative on the laminar material sliding in each feed guide 41 - 44. In particular, each entrainer 55-58 is configured to engage the laminar material by moving forward or backward said laminar material along the relevant feed direction D1 -D4.

[0081] In the example of the figures, the feed guides 41 -44 and the relative entrainers 55-58 are mounted in a first support structure 70.

[0082] Each entrainer 55-58 comprises at least a first motorized drag roller 61 and an associated first idle drag roller 62, wherein the first motorized drag roller 61 and the first idle drag roller 62 are actuatable to engage the laminar material by moving it along the respective feed direction D1 -D4 forward or backward, i.e. towards the material introduction position P or towards the respective material loading inlet 45a-45d.

[0083] For this purpose and in accordance with an embodiment, the first motorized drag roller 61 is configured to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise to move the laminar material forward or backward along the respective feed direction D1 -D4. The first motorized drag roller 61 and the first idle drag roller 62 have axes of rotation parallel to each other and are arranged at opposite sides relative to a direction transverse to the respective feed direction D1 -D4.

[0084] In particular, the first motorized drag roller 61 is rotatably supported by a first drag shaft 92, which extends along its own extension direction parallel to the rotation axis of the first motorized drag roller 61 .

[0085] The first idle drag roller 62 is operatively connected to a second drag shaft 69. The second drag shaft 69 extends along its own extension direction parallel to the extension direction of the first drag shaft 92. In particular, the idle drag roller 62 is rotatably supported by an arm 64 hinged to the second drag shaft 69 which extends along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first idle drag roller 62. In a further embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the idle drag roller 62 is rotatably supported by the second drag shaft 69.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment of the figures, each entrainer 55-58 comprises a second motorized drag roller 61 ' and a second idle drag roller 62' associated with the second motorized drag roller, wherein said drag rollers are actuatable to engage the laminar material. The second motorized roller 6T and the associated second idle drag roller 62' are arranged at a distance from the first motorized drag roller 61 and the associated first idle drag roller 62 along the relevant feed direction D1-D4.

[0087] The second motorized drag roller 6T is configured to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise to move the laminar material forward or backward.

[0088] The second motorized drag roller 6T and the second idle drag roller 62' have axes of rotation parallel to each other and are arranged at opposite sides relative to a direction transverse to the respective feed direction D1 -D4.

[0089] In particular, the second motorized drag roller 6T is mounted on a third drag shaft 92' and the second idle drag roller 62' is operatively connected to the fourth drag shaft 93'.

[0090] The axes of rotation of the first and second drag rollers 61 , 62 and 6T, 62' are parallel to each other.

[0091] In the non-limiting example of the figures, the first idle drag roller 62 and the second idle drag roller 62' are operatively connected to the respective drag shafts 93, 93' through a respective arm 64.

[0092] Each of the first and second motorized drag rollers 61 , 6T are configured to rotate forward and backward so as to move forward and backward the laminar material along the respective feed guide 41 -44.

[0093] In particular, the first and second motorized rollers 61 , 6T are configured to rotate synchronously, with synchronization of rotation direction clockwise and counterclockwise for moving forward and backward the continuous sheet in the respective feed guide 41 -44.

[0094] In one example, at the opposite drag rollers 61 , 6T and 62, 62' the relevant sliding surface 51 a-51 d is interrupted to allow engagement of the rollers with the laminar material. For example, each feed guide 41 -44 comprises a first portion and a second portion of feed guide (not indicated in the figures), the first feed guide portion being arranged upstream relative to the first motorized drag roller 61 with reference to the relevant feed direction, the second portion being arranged downstream relative to the second motorized drag roller 6T with reference to the respective feed direction. Between the first portion and the second feed guide portion there is provided a stretch of length equal to the distance between the first and second drag rollers in the respective feed direction.

[0095] The apparatus 40 for loading material comprises a feeder 81 arranged downstream of the feed guides 41 -44, in relation to the feed directions D1 -D4. The feeder 81 is arranged at the material introduction position P.

[0096] The feeder 81 comprises a passage opening 59, conceptually indicated in Figures 7A and 7B. The passage opening 59 is switchable between a first configuration wherein the feeder 81 exerts a pulling action on the laminar material (Figure 7A) and a second configuration wherein the feeder exerts no pulling on the laminar material (Figure 7B).

[0097] The feeder 81 comprises a motorized feed roller 82 and an associated idle feed roller 83. The motorized feed roller 82 is arranged at the material introduction position P. A drag plane F1 is tangent to the motorized feed roller 82 at the passage opening 59 (i.e. the generatrix of the motorized roller 82 is in contact with the drag plane F1 ).

[0098] The drag plane F1 comprises the material introduction position P.

[0099] The passage opening 59 extends in an aperture direction D5 (indicated in Figure 7 A) transverse to the drag plane F1 , for example in a direction perpendicular to the drag plane F1 . In the example of the figures, the aperture direction D5 extends parallel to the vertical axis Z and the drag plane F1 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis Y and the transverse axis X.

[0100] The motorized roller and the idle feed roller 82, 83 rotate about a respective axis of rotation.

[0101] The extension direction of the aperture direction D5 is a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the motorized feed roller 82, in particular substantially perpendicular to the drag plane F1 .

[0102] The idle feed roller 83 faces the motorized feed roller 82 and the two rollers are arranged at opposite sides relative to the drag plane F1 .

[0103] The axes of rotation of the feed rollers 82, 83 are parallel to each other.

[0104] In the first configuration (Figure 7A), the idle feed roller 83 is at a first relative distance from the motorized feed roller 82. The first relative distance is defined in the aperture direction D5. The first relative distance between the two rollers 82, 83 is such that they are in contact with the laminar material from opposite sides so as to drag it forward in a pulling direction indicated by the arrow 68. In this configuration, the two feed rollers 82, 83 engage the laminar material by exerting a pulling action in the pulling direction 68, i.e. away from the material introduction position P. In the second configuration (Figure 7B), the idle feed roller 83 is at a second relative distance from the motorized feed roller 82. The second relative distance, defined in the aperture direction D5, is greater than the first relative distance. In this configuration, the idle feed roller 83 is decoupled from the motorized feed roller 82. The second relative distance is such that the idle feed roller 83 is not in contact with the laminar material. In particular, the idle feed roller 83 is positioned to disengage the laminar material, when in the second configuration.

[0105] With reference to the figures, the idle feed roller 83 is rotatably constrained to an arm 84 which is hinged to a first feed shaft 79. The first feed shaft 79 is configured to rotate between a first angular position and a second angular position. To this end and according to one embodiment, the first feed shaft 79 is actuated by an actuation device 94 configured to rotate the first feed shaft 79 between the first and second angular positions.

[0106] In one embodiment, the actuation device 94 comprises a first hydraulic cylinder 95 configured to actuate the first feed shaft 79 by rotating it between the first angular position and the second angular position. In the non-limiting example of the figures, the first hydraulic cylinder 95 is connected to a lever 98 that is hinged to the first feed shaft 79 for the transmission of the rotary motion.

[0107] The first angular position corresponds to the first configuration of the feeder 81 (pulling of the laminar material towards the processing machine) and the second angular position corresponds to the second configuration of the feeder 81 (disengagement of the laminar material).

[0108] The motorized feed roller 82 is rotatably supported by a second feed shaft 97.

[0109] The motorized feed roller 82 and the idle feed roller 82 have axes of rotation parallel to each other.

[0110] The first feed shaft 79 and the second feed shaft 97 have extension direction along axes parallel to the axes of rotation of the motorized roller and of the idle feed roller 82, 83.

[0111] Downstream of the feeder 81 , relative to the pulling direction 68, a cutting device 90 is arranged comprising a cutting roller 85, the cutting roller 85 being provided with an axial blade 89 (indicated in Figure 1 ) extending along a direction perpendicular to the plane YZ, i.e. along the extension direction of the cutting roller 85. The cutting roller 85 faces a contrast roller 86.

[0112] It is understood that the cutting device may be implemented in another way. For example, the cutting device may be a guillotine system or a rotary knife cutter rotatable about an axis of rotation thereof perpendicular to the plane YZ.

[0113] The cutting device 90 is configured to cut one or more dies (not indicated in the figures) from a continuous sheet.

[0114] Downstream of the cutting device, the dies move forward along a support shelf 87 in the pulling direction 68. The support shelf 87 may be provided with a conveyor belt (not shown) for conveying the dies into the processing machine in the pulling direction 68. In one example, the support shelf 87 is parallel to the drag plane F1 .

[0115] In the example of the figures, the feeder 81 and the cutting device 90 are mounted in a second support structure 80.

[0116] In some embodiments, the apparatus 40 for loading material may be part of a system for conveying in continuous laminar material.

[0117] Figure 2 illustrates a system 10 for conveying in continuous laminar material in accordance with an embodiment. The system 10 comprises the apparatus 40 for loading material in accordance with the present disclosure and a material conveying assembly 20. The material conveying assembly 20 comprises a plurality of stacks 31 -34 of fanfold sheets of laminar material. The fanfold sheets of the respective stacks have fan-folded sheet sections that can have different sizes, for example in length, i.e. in the direction of introduction of the material to the feeder 81 and / or in width, in a direction transverse to the advancement direction of the continuous sheets along the feed directions.

[0118] The material conveying assembly 20 comprises a plurality of conveying guides 21 -24 extending along separate paths, wherein each conveying guide 21-24 is configured to receive the laminar material from the respective stack of fanfold sheets 31 -34. For this purpose and in ways known per se, each conveying guide 21 -24 is operatively connected to a respective supporting device 36 of known type configured to guide the sections 27 of each stack of laminar material of known type in a continuous manner. In the example of Figure 2, each supporting device 36 may comprise a roller track 38 comprising a plurality of idle rollers, the roller track 38 being configured to move forward the fanfold sheet from the respective stack 31-34 along a respective advancement guide 25a-25d. Each advancement guide 25a-25d is operatively connected, downstream of the respective supporting device 36, to a respective conveying guide 21 -24. Each conveying guide 21 -24 is connected, upstream, to the respective advancement guide 25a-25d and, downstream, to a respective material loading inlet 45a-45d of the apparatus 40 for loading material. The conveyor guides 21 -24 are typically rigid guides, for example of metal. Figure 1 shows an end portion of the respective conveying guides 21 -24 which are connected to the respective inlets 45a-45d of the feed guides 41 -44. In a further embodiment not illustrated, the material conveying assembly 20 comprises a plurality of continuous sheet reels of laminar material which is unrolled in continuous and conveyed towards respective material loading inlets 45a-45d of the apparatus 40 for loading material. The conveying of the raw material coming from the reels can use conveying guides.

[0119] In a different embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the conveying assembly may provide for conveying single sheets of paper material to the inlets 45a-45d of the feed guides 41 -44.

[0120] Typically and in ways known per se, the production of packaged products from raw paper material is managed by an electronic management system for the production cycles of the packaged products, for example for the formation of paperboard boxes. In particular, it may be provided that the electronic management system is configured to control and / or issue commands for the selection of the paper material to be used for the formation of the finished product. For example, the actuation of the entrainers 55-58 and the feeder 81 may be controlled by an electronic management system.

[0121] Figures 3-5 show a portion of the apparatus 40 for loading material illustrated in Figure 1 to illustrate subsequent operating steps for carrying out a change of laminar material to be introduced into the processing machine (not illustrated), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In Figures 3-5 the laminar material introduced into the apparatus 40 for loading material is indicated with a dashed line.

[0122] Figure 3 shows a first step of a laminar material conveying process for feeding laminar material into a processing machine. In each of the first and fourth feed guides 41 -44 there is inserted an end portion of a respective first, second, third and fourth continuous sheet of laminar material 71 , 72, 73 and 74. For example, each end portion of the continuous sheet is connected to a respective stack of fanfold laminar material 31-34 or to a respective reel. The first fanfold sheet 71 slides along the first feed guide 41 dragged by the first entrainer 55 towards the common position P, i.e. the material introduction position, to be fed into the feeder 81 , as indicated by the arrow 75 along the first feed direction D1. In particular, the first entrainer 55 is configured to move the first sheet of laminar material 71 forward towards the feeder 81 . The feeder 81 is in its first configuration, i.e. the sheet 71 is pulled by the feeder 81 in the pulling direction 68. The idle feed roller 83 is in the first angular position.

[0123] While the first fanfold sheet move forward along the feed guide 41 to be fed into the feeder 81 , the second, third and fourth fanfold sheets 72-75 are stationary. For example and for this purpose, the second, third and fourth entrainer 56, 57 and 58 engage the laminar material 72, 73 and 74 but are not operative, i.e. they hold the laminar material in place without moving it.

[0124] Figure 4 illustrates a second step following the first step of Figure 3. For example, a subsequent production cycle requires the preparation of a die from a continuous sheet different from the first continuous sheet 71 , in the example in particular from the third continuous sheet 73 arranged in the third feed guide 43.

[0125] The feeder 81 moves from the first configuration to the second configuration, wherein the feeder does not exert any pulling on the sheet 71 . In particular, the idle feed roller 83 is in the second angular position and the grip on the laminar material of the first sheet 71 is released. Simultaneously with or at instants subsequent to the release of the first sheet 71 , the first entrainer 55 is configured to reverse the direction of motion of the sheet 71 by retracting said sheet 71 relative to the material introduction position P, in the direction of motion indicated by the arrow 77, in particular by retracting an end portion of the sheet 71 .

[0126] Once the material of the first continuous sheet 71 is released, the feeder 81 moves from the second configuration to the first configuration to receive and engage a new laminar material, in particular the third continuous sheet 73. Simultaneously with the release of the first sheet 71 or at subsequent instants, the third entrainer 57 is configured to move the third fanfold sheet 73 forward towards the material introduction position P along the advancement direction indicated by the arrow 78.

[0127] Since the first and third fanfold sheet 71 , 73 are moved forward or backward independently of each other and the relevant feed guides 41-44 have distinct and converging feed directions, the advancement of the third sheet 73 can take place simultaneously with the retraction of the first sheet 71 . In this way, the change of laminar material entering the feeder 81 can take place in a very short time.

[0128] Figure 5 shows the apparatus 40 at an instant subsequent to that depicted in Figure 4. The feeder 81 is again positioned in the first configuration and the third sheet 73 is dragged by the feeder 81 in the pulling direction 68 to be cut and conveyed into the processing machine.

[0129] In the previous description the entrainers 55-58 have been described with reference to individual motorized rollers and idle drag idlers. However, in one embodiment, each entrainer 55-58 may comprise a plurality of motorized rollers and a corresponding plurality of associated idle drag rollers.

[0130] Figure 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating a portion of an entrainer 91 in accordance with an embodiment. The entrainer 91 comprises a plurality of first motorized drag rollers 61 and a respective plurality of first idle drag rollers 62.

[0131] The first motorized drag rollers 61 of the plurality are arranged side-by-side one to another along the first drag shaft 92. In particular, the first motorized rollers 61 are rotatably supported by the first drag shaft 92.

[0132] The first idle drag rollers 62 are operatively connected to the second drag shaft 69, the idle drag roller being freely rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the second drag shaft 69.

[0133] The first and second drag shaft 92, 69 extend along respective extension directions parallel to each other and indicated with D6 in Figure 6.

[0134] The extension direction D6 of the first and second drag shaft 92, 69 depends on the feed direction D1 -D4 of the feed guide 41 -44 on which the entrainer 91 is arranged. Preferably, the axes of the first and second drag shaft 69, 92 are substantially parallel to the feed direction of the feed guide 41 -44 on which the entrainer 91 is placed.

[0135] The entrainer 91 further comprises a plurality of second motorized drag rollers 6T and a plurality of second idle drag rollers 62', wherein the second motorized rollers 61 ' (not visible in Figure 6) and the second idle drag rollers 62' are rotatably supported by a respective third and fourth drag shaft 69', 92' (shaft 92' only partially visible). The third and fourth drag shaft 69', 92' extend along respective directions parallel to the extension directions of the first and second drag shaft 92, 69 (D6).

[0136] The extension directions of the drag shafts 69, 69', 92 and 92' are parallel to each other.

[0137] The drag rollers 61 , 6T and 62, 62' and their associated elements are of the type described with reference to the previous figures. In particular, the first motorized drag rollers 61 are arranged at a distance from the second motorized drag rollers 6T in relation to the respective feed direction D1 -D4.

[0138] In preferred embodiments, the sliding surface 51 a-51 d of each feed guide 41 -44 is a planar surface extending along the respective feed direction D1 -D4 and along a direction perpendicular to the feed direction (not indicated) belonging to the plane of the planar surface. The continuous sheet slides on the sliding surface along the feed direction, and its width extends in the direction perpendicular to the feed direction.

[0139] The direction D6 in which the plurality of first motorized rollers and associated idle drag rollers and the plurality of second motorized rollers and associated idle drag rollers are arranged is perpendicular to the respective feed direction D1-D4. In embodiments, each entrainer 91 extends along the relevant direction D6 which substantially corresponds to the width of the respective sliding surface 51 a-51d of the respective feed guides 41-44.

[0140] The provision of a plurality of pairs of motorized rollers and idle drag roller can make the grip of the entrainers on the laminar material and therefore its movement in the respective feed guide 41 -44 more effective.

[0141] The extension direction of each entrainer 91 , in particular the respective extension direction of the first and second motorized rollers and of the associated first and second idle drag rollers is substantially perpendicular to the respective sliding surface 51 a-51 d of each feed guide 41 -44.

[0142] Figures 8A and 8B are perspective views showing a feeder in accordance with an embodiment. Parts of the support structure 80 have been removed to better illustrate certain elements. In Figure 8A, a feeder 96 is illustrated in the first configuration, wherein the pulling of the laminar material towards the processing machine is active. Figure 8B illustrates the feeder 96 in the second configuration, wherein the laminar material is released.

[0143] The feeder 96 extends along the transverse axis X which is perpendicular to the plane YZ and comprises a plurality of motorized feed rollers 82 and a respective plurality of idle feed rollers 83.

[0144] Each feed roller 82 and 83 and the relative elements associated thereto are of the type described with reference to the preceding figures.

[0145] The motorized feed rollers 82 are rotatably supported by a second feed shaft 97. The motorized rollers 82 are arranged side-by-side one to another on the second feed shaft 97. The second feed shaft 97 extends in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of each motorized feed roller 82.

[0146] The idle feed rollers 83 are arranged side-by-side one to another and are operatively connected to the first feed shaft 79. The first and second feed shafts 97, 79 extend along mutually parallel extension directions.

[0147] In particular, the idle feed rollers 83 are rotatably supported by a respective arm 84. Each arm 84 is hinged to the first feed shaft 79 which extends along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of each idle roller 83. The first feed shaft 79 is operatively connected to an actuation device 94 configured to actuate the first feed shaft 79 by rotating it between the first angular position and the second angular position. In particular, the rotation of the feed shaft 79 rotates all the arms 84 hinged thereto so as to synchronously move all the idle feed rollers 83 between the first angular position and the second angular position.

[0148] In the embodiment of Figures 8A and 8B, the actuation device 94 comprises the first hydraulic cylinder 95 and a second hydraulic cylinder 95a. The second hydraulic cylinder 95a is arranged at a distance from the first hydraulic cylinder 95 along the extension direction of the first feed shaft 79. Each hydraulic cylinder 95, 95a comprises a respective lever 98, 98a which is hinged to the first feed shaft 79.

[0149] The actuation of the first hydraulic cylinder 95 and of the second hydraulic cylinder 95a synchronously rotates each idle feed roller 83 between the first and the second angular positions.

[0150] In Figure 8A, the passage opening 59 between the plurality of idle and feed rollers 83, 82 is such as to exert a pulling action on the laminar material (first configuration). In Figure 8B, the passage opening 59 between the plurality of idle and feed rollers 83, 82 is such as to release the laminar material and to allow its retraction.

[0151] In the present description and claims, the material introduction position P should not necessarily be understood as a single position but as a set of space points proximal to an ideal convergence point P.

[0152] The person skilled in the art will recognize that it is possible to combine the various characteristics of the embodiments described above to obtain further embodiments, all falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the subsequent claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material into a processing machine (1 ), the apparatus (40) comprising: a plurality of feed guides (41 -44) extending along respective feed directions (D1 - D4), each feed guide (41-44) being configured to receive laminar material (71- 74) and being in communication with a respective inlet (45a-45d) for the insertion of laminar material (71-74), wherein the feed directions (D1-D4) converge towards a material introduction position (P), the apparatus (40) further comprising a feeder (81 ) arranged at the material introduction position (P) and configured to receive said laminar material (71 -74) from any feed guide of the plurality of feed guides (41 -44).

2. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim 1 , wherein the feeder (81 ; 96) comprises a passage opening (59) switchable between a first configuration wherein the feeder (81 ; 96) exerts a pulling action on the laminar material (71 -74) and a second configuration wherein the feeder (81 ; 96) does not exert any pulling action on the laminar material (71 -74).

3. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlets (45a-45d) for inserting laminar material (71 -74) are arranged in sequence in a first extension direction (E), said first extension direction (E) being transverse to the feed directions (D1 -D4).

4. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each feed guide of the plurality of feed guides (41 -44) comprises a respective sliding surface (51 a-51 d) extending along a respective feed direction of the plurality of feed directions (D1 -D4).

5. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each feed guide (41 -44) extends, along the respective feed direction (D1 -D4), from the respective material introduction inlet (45a-45d) to a respective outlet (52a-52d), wherein the material introduction position (P) is arranged downstream of each outlet (52a-52d).

6. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim2 or claims 3 to 5 when dependent on claim 2, whereinsaid feeder (81 ; 96) comprises a motorized feed roller (82) and an associated idle feed roller (83), the motorized feed roller (82) being arranged at the material introduction position (P), the motorized feed roller (82) is tangential to a drag plane (F1 ) which comprises the material introduction position (P), and wherein the first and second configurations of the passage opening (59) of the feeder (81 ; 96) are defined by respective relative distances between the idle feed roller (83) and the associated motorized feed roller (82), the relative distances being defined in an aperture direction (D5) transverse to the drag plane (F1 ).

7. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim 6, wherein, in the first configuration, the idle feed roller (83) and the motorized feed roller (82) are arranged at a first relative distance in the aperture direction, in which the idle feed roller (83) and the motorized feed roller (82) are configured to engage the laminar material (71 -74) by exerting a pulling action in a pulling direction (68) moving away from the material introduction position (P), and in the second configuration, the idle feed roller (83) and the motorized feed roller (82) are arranged at a second relative distance along the aperture direction (D5), the second relative distance being greater than the first relative distance, wherein the idle feed roller (83) and the motorized feed roller (82) are configured to disengage the laminar material.

8. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim6 or 7, wherein the idle feed roller (82) is operatively connected to a first feed shaft (79), the first feed shaft (79) is configured to rotate between a first angular position corresponding to the first relative distance and a second angular position corresponding to the second relative distance.

9. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim7 or 8, wherein the feeder (96) comprises a plurality of motorized feed rollers (82) and a respective plurality of idle feed rollers (83), each idle feed roller (83) being operatively connected to the first feed shaft (79), the idle feed rollers (83) being arranged side-by-side one to another in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the first feed shaft (79), the motorized rollers (82) of the plurality of motorized feed rollers are rotatably supported on a second feed shaft (97), the motorized feed rollers (82) beingarranged side-by-side along the second feed shaft (97), and wherein the respective extension directions of the first feed shaft (79) and the second feed shaft (97) are substantially parallel.

10. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim 9, wherein the idle feed rollers (83) are supported by a respective arm (84) hinged to the first feed shaft (79), and the first feed shaft (79) is operatively connected to an actuation device (94) configured to actuate the first feed shaft (79) by rotating it between the first angular position and the second angular position thereby moving each idle feed roller between the first and second configurations.11 . Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising, at each feed guide (41-44), a respective entrainer (55-58) operating on the laminar material (71 -74), each entrainer (55-58) being configured to move the laminar material (71 -74) forward towards the material introduction position (P) or away from the material introduction position (P) along the respective feed direction (D1-D4).

12. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim11 , wherein a first entrainer of the plurality of entrainers (55-58) operating on a first laminar material (71-74) being moved forward is configured to reverse a direction of motion of said first laminar material moving forward by retracting the first laminar material relative to the material introduction position (P), and a second entrainer of the plurality of entrainers (55-58) operating on a second laminar material (71 -74) is configured to move forward, simultaneously with the retraction of the first laminar material, the second laminar material towards the material introduction position (P).

13. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim12, when dependent on claim 2, wherein prior to said reversing a direction of motion by said first entrainer (55-58), the feeder (81 ) moves from the first configuration to the second configuration, wherein the feeder (81 ) does not exert any pulling on said first laminar material (71 -74) so as to release said first laminar material, and wherein said reversing a direction of motion occurs simultaneously with or at instants subsequent to said releasing said first laminar material.

14. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to aclaim from 11 to 13, wherein each entrainer (55-58) comprises a first motorized drag roller (61 ) and an associated first idle drag roller (62), the first motorized drag roller (61 ) and the first idle drag roller (62) being actuatable to engage the laminar material by moving it along the respective feed direction (D1 -D5).

15. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim 14, wherein, for each entrainer (55-58), the first motorized drag roller (61 ) and the associated first idle drag roller (62) are arranged at opposite sides relative to a direction transverse to the respective feed direction (D1 -D4).

16. Apparatus (40) for loading in continuous laminar material according to claim 11 to 15, wherein each entrainer (55-58) further comprises a second motorized drag roller (61 ') and an associated second idle drag roller (62'), the second motorized drag roller (61 ') and the second idle drag roller (62') being actuatable to engage the laminar material by moving it along the respective feed direction, and wherein the first and second motorized drag rollers (61 , 61 ') are arranged at a distance from each other along the feed direction (D1 -D4) of the respective feed guide (41 -44) and are configured to rotate synchronously in opposite directions for moving forward and backward the laminar material in the respective feed guide (41 -44).

17. Method for loading in continuous laminar material into a processing machine (1 ), the method comprising: introducing in continuous laminar material (71-74) into respective feed guides of a plurality of feed guides (41 -44), the plurality of feed guides extending along respective feed directions (D1 -D4), each feed guide (41 -44) being configured to receive laminar material (71-74) and being in communication with a respective inlet (45a-45d) for inserting laminar material (71 -74), wherein the feed directions (D1 -D4) converge towards a material introduction position (P), and receiving, by a feeder (81 ) arranged at the material introduction position (P), said laminar material (71 -74) from any feed guide of the plurality of feed guides (41- 44).

18. Method for loading in continuous laminar material into a processing machine according to claim 17, wherein the processing machine comprises, at each feed guide (41 -44), a plurality of entrainers (55-58) operating on the laminar material,the method comprising operating at least one entrainer (55-58) to move the laminar material (71 -74) forward towards the material introduction position (P) or away from the material introduction position (P) along the respective feed direction (D1-D4).

19. Method according to claim 18, comprising operating a first entrainer of the plurality of entrainers (55-58) to move forward a first laminar material (71 -74) towards the material introduction position (P); then moving a first laminar material (71 -74) forward, reversing the direction of motion of the first laminar material and retracting said first laminar material relative to the material introduction position (P), and simultaneously with said retracting the first laminar material (71-74), operating a second entrainer to move a second laminar material forward towards the material introduction position (P).

Images