Cutting unit for an apparatus for cutting flexible printed material to size

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for cutting a flexible printed material (11) to size comprising at least one feeding unit (15) configured to feed the flexible printed material (11) in a certain feeding direction (FD), and at least one cutting unit (16) configured to cut the flexible printed material (11) in a cutting direction (CD) substantially parallel to the feeding direction (FD), the cutting unit (16) comprising at least one cutting bench (28) on which the flexible printed material (11) rests and one or more cutting tools (22) opposed to the cutting bench (28), with respect to the flexible printed material (11), and lying on a cutting plane (CP) inclined by a certain incision angle (Ω), with respect to a plane (OP) orthogonal to the cutting bench (28).

Description

[0001] “CUTTING UNIT FOR AN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING FLEXIBLE PRINTED MATERIAL TO SIZE”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention concerns a cutting unit for an apparatus designed to cut to size, that is, trim laterally and transversely, a generic flexible printed material fed from a reel, such as for example paper and, more specifically, wallpaper or wall coverings, floor graphics, paper, posters, SAV (decal material), stickers, banners, window graphics, signage and canvas, or others.

[0004] The present invention also concerns the flexible printed material cut with the aforementioned cutting unit and the apparatus comprising said cutting unit that cuts the flexible printed material to size.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Apparatuses for cutting to size are known, such as industrial cutters, designed to cut in a longitudinal direction a printed, for example digitally, flexible material fed from a reel, such as for example paper and, more specifically, wallpaper, but not only, for example plastic sheets, as well as wall coverings, floor graphics, posters, decal material, stickers, banners, windows graphics, signage and canvas, or others, in order to divide the material longitudinally into sheets of a desired width.

[0007] Traditional cutters substantially provide a cutting surface, or cutting bench, disposed transversely to the feeding direction of the wallpaper, or other material, and a plurality of cutting tools that, by cooperating with the cutting bench, cut the wallpaper in transit to size in a longitudinal direction.

[0008] In this sense, different types of cutting tools are known, including those with a circular blade, in which at least one metal disc having a sharp circumferential edge is motorized and positioned to interfere with the wallpaper being fed, in order to carry out the linear cut thereof.

[0009] A known cutting tool and method are disclosed for example in EP3299136A1.

[0010] Although this type of cutting tool is among the most versatile and precise, there are different operating problems which affect the quality and precision of the cut made, in particular if the material subjected to the cutting has at least one decorative surface, for example molded or colored differently to its natural color. One of these disadvantages is caused by the fact that, as schematically shown in fig. 1, in which the proportions have been deliberately modified for greater understanding, the circular blades 200, in collaboration with counter-blades, exert a cutting force and cut into the material in a direction substantially orthogonal to the cutting bench, and therefore to the material itself, defining a sheet 100 having a chamfer 110 between the decorative surface 120 and the cut edge 130 of the material. This chamfer 1 10, albeit in the order of hundredths of a millimeter, remains partly visible from the side of the decorative surface 120.

[0011] Specifically, as regards the laying of the wallpaper, each sheet 100 is disposed with an edge 130 thereof adjacent to an edge 130 of an adjacent sheet 100. This technique, in particular if the decorative surface 120 is printed in dark colors, leaves a longitudinal strip of the natural color of the sheet 100 visible in correspondence with the joint between two sheets 100. This strip is clearly an aesthetic irregularity, especially if the sheets 100 define a background or a design when associated with each other.

[0012] Therefore, a cut to size made with a known apparatus of this type reduces the precision and quality of the cut material.

[0013] There is therefore the need to perfect a cutting unit for an apparatus for cutting a flexible printed material to size that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0014] To do this, it is necessary to resolve the technical problem of preventing the formation of chamfers resulting from the cut performed, which can affect the precision and quality of the cut material, as well as define aesthetic irregularities during the operational laying of the cut material itself.

[0015] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a cutting unit for an apparatus for cutting flexible printed material to size which allows for high precision and quality of the cut material, that is, for the decorative surface to be free of chamfers or other deformations, preventing any aesthetic irregularities in the laying of the printed material.

[0016] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an effective, precise and reliable apparatus for cutting flexible printed material to size provided with a cutting unit.

[0017] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0020] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a cutting unit according to one aspect of the present invention comprises at least one cutting bench on which the flexible printed material being fed rests, and one or more cutting tools, which are opposed to the cutting bench with respect to the flexible printed material. Each of the cutting tools lies on a cutting plane, which is inclined by a certain incision angle with respect to a plane orthogonal to the cutting bench. The cutting unit also comprises one or more contrast tools operationally coupled to the one or more cutting tools on the opposite side with respect to the flexible printed material and lying on the cutting plane which is inclined by the incision angle.

[0021] This defines a flexible printed material cut to size, having a feeding surface resting on the cutting bench and a lateral edge cut by means of the cutting tools, which has an inclination equal to the incision angle, with respect to a plane orthogonal to the feeding surface.

[0022] Doing so achieves at least the advantage that, in a solution in which the material has a visible or decorative surface, opposed and parallel to the feeding surface, this visible surface hides the lateral edge, making it substantially invisible during the edge-to-edge laying of two adjacent sheets.

[0023] The solution according to the present invention therefore guarantees a high precision and quality of the cut material, that is, that the decorative surface has no chamfers or other deformations, preventing aesthetic irregularities in the laying, without affecting the precision and quality of the cut material.

[0024] Furthermore, unlike known cutting units, both the one or more cutting tools and also the one or more contrast tools are inclined by a same angle, lie on a same plane and the angle that can be adjusted is the working angle with respect to the material to be cut. According to another aspect of the invention, the incision angle has an amplitude of less than 20°.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the incision angle is between about 5° and about 20°, in particular between about 7° and about 15°.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the cutting unit comprises at least a first pair of cutting tools distanced from each other by a certain distance and configured to cut the flexible printed material and define a first sheet with a width substantially equivalent to such distance.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the cutting unit comprises a second pair of cutting tools disposed alongside the first pair of cutting tools and distanced from each other by a certain distance, and configured to cut the flexible printed material and define a sheet with a width substantially equivalent to such distance.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the cutting unit comprises a support structure disposed substantially transverse to a feeding direction of the flexible printed material, and positioning members selectively moveable along the support structure and configured to support the cutting tools.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the positioning members comprise at least one attachment arm on which at least one of the cutting tools is rotatably mounted.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, the positioning members each comprise a digital meter by means of which it is possible to constantly detect the relative position of each positioning member with respect to the support structure.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, the cutting bench comprises a plurality of rest elements disposed transversely distanced and with which the cutting tools cooperate, in a manner opposed with respect to the flexible printed material.

[0032] The invention also concerns a flexible printed material cut to size by means of at least one cutting unit. The flexible printed material comprises at least one feeding surface and a lateral edge which is cut by means of one or more cutting tools of the cutting unit, and having an inclination of a certain incision angle with respect to a plane orthogonal to the feeding surface.

[0033] The invention also concerns an apparatus applied to cut a flexible printed material to size, such as for example paper, wallpaper, but also plastic, rubber, or other materials, such as wall coverings, floor graphics, posters, decal material, stickers, banners, window graphics, signage and canvas, or other digitally printed materials normally fed in reels or in separate large size sheets.

[0034] The apparatus according to the present invention substantially comprises a feeding unit configured to feed the flexible printed material in a certain feeding direction, and at least one cutting unit which is configured to cut the flexible printed material in a cutting direction, substantially parallel to the feeding direction, so as to divide the flexible printed material into separate sheets which can be, for example, placed on a wall.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a support frame with which the at least one feeding unit and the at least one cutting unit are operationally associated.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, the feeding unit comprises a support structure mounted transversally mobile on the support frame.

[0037] According to another aspect of the invention, in the event the flexible printed material comes from a reel, the apparatus comprises a decoiler associated with the support structure. The reel is mounted on the decoiler. There is also provided at least one tensioning roller, suitable to tension and stretch the flexible printed material.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, the feeding unit comprises a feeding roller, by means of which the flexible printed material is fed to the cutting unit.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0041] - fig. 1 schematically shows a detail of the prior art compared to the solution according to the present invention;

[0042] - fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of a simplified embodiment of an apparatus for cutting a flexible printed material to size, according to the present invention;

[0043] - fig. 3 shows a front and partly sectioned view of the apparatus of fig. 2; and

[0044] - fig. 4 shows an enlarged detail of fig. 3; and - fig. 5 shows an example enlargement of a cut carried out with the apparatus of fig. 1.

[0045] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0046] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

[0047] DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0048] With reference to the attached drawings, an apparatus 10 according to some embodiments described here, also called a cutter, is designed to cut a digitally printed flexible material to size, in this specific case wallpaper 11, shown with a dash-dotted line, for example originally wound on a reel 12 or fed directly in line by an upstream printing machine in order to make sheets 13 of a desired transverse width.

[0049] In particular, the apparatus 10 according to the present invention comprises at least one support frame 14 with which there are operationally associated at least one feeding unit 15 configured to feed the wallpaper 1 1 , for example coming from the reel 12 or coming directly from an upstream printing machine, in a certain feeding direction FD, and at least one cutting unit 16 configured to cut the wallpaper 11 in a cutting direction CD substantially parallel to the feeding direction FD.

[0050] In some embodiments, the feeding unit 15 can comprise a support structure 17 mounted transversally mobile on the support frame 14. For example, in the event that the wallpaper 11 comes from the reel 12, there can be provided a decoiler 18 associated with, in particular mounted on, the support structure 17, the reel 12 being mounted on the decoiler 18, and at least one tensioning roller 19 suitable to tension and deliberately stretch the wallpaper 11. For example, the decoiler 18 can be motorized in a right and left transverse direction, and possibly also around its axis of rotation. A feeding roller 20, by means of which the wallpaper 11 is fed directly to the cutting unit 16, can also be part of the feeding unit 15.

[0051] The cutting unit 16 comprises a plurality of cutting tools, for example two pairs, which in this specific case comprise circular blades 22, which are disposed in a direction transverse to the feeding direction FD and distanced from each other, for example two by two, by a certain distance D. Each circular blade 22 is configured to cut the wallpaper 11 and thus define the sheets 13 with a width substantially equivalent to the distance D.

[0052] In the embodiments described using the attached drawings, there can for example be provided, as mentioned, two pairs of circular blades 22, wherein the latter are distanced from each other by a same distance D, although alternative embodiments are not excluded, in which only one pair of circular blades 22 is provided, as well as a number of pairs higher than two, for example three, four or more, each pair having its own distance between the circular blades 22, to define sheets 13 of different widths.

[0053] A cutting bench 28, on which a feeding surface 1 la of the wallpaper 11 rests, is also part of the cutting unit 16.

[0054] The cutting bench 28 comprises a plurality of rest elements 29 disposed transversely distanced from each other, and with which the corresponding circular blades 22 cooperate, in a manner opposed with respect to the wallpaper 11. In this way, the wallpaper 1 1 is in an intermediate position with respect to the cutting bench 28 and the circular blades 22, with a decorative surface 1 lb thereof, opposite to the feeding surface I la, subjected to the cutting action of the circular blades 22.

[0055] The cutting unit 16 also comprises a support structure 23 disposed substantially transverse to the feeding direction FD and mounted transversally mobile on the support frame 14, and a plurality of positioning members 24 on which the circular blades 22 are mounted. The positioning members 24 are selectively and independently movable along the support structure 23 and each provide a digital meter 25 by means of which an operator can constantly detect the relative position of each positioning member 24 with respect to the support structure 23 and therefore detect, with even centesimal precision, the distance D between two successive circular blades 22.

[0056] Advantageously, micrometric adjustment and clamping elements are provided, generally indicated with the reference number 26, of a substantially known type and configured to allow to reach the relative positioning of each positioning member 24 precisely, as well as clamp the latter with respect to the support structure 23 in the position reached.

[0057] Each positioning member 24 comprises at least one attachment arm 27 on which the corresponding circular blade 22 is rotatably mounted.

[0058] Advantageously, the attachment arm 27 has a conformation whereby it keeps the circular blade 22 with a cutting plane CP thereof inclined by a certain incision angle , with respect to a plane OP orthogonal to the cutting bench 28.

[0059] This incision angle has for example an amplitude of less than 20°, for example comprised between about 5° and about 20°, in particular between 7° and 15°.

[0060] It has been experimentally verified that, advantageously, the incision angle Q with the values defined above contributes to preventing, or at least drastically limiting, the formation of chamfers deriving from the cut made, which can negatively affect the precision and quality of the cut material, as well as defining an aesthetic irregularity during the operational laying of the cut material itself.

[0061] The cutting unit 16 thus allows to achieve high precision and quality of the cut material, that is, the decorative surface is substantially free of chamfers or other deformations, and aesthetic irregularities in the laying of the material are substantially prevented.

[0062] Variants in which the attachment arm 27, or the entire positioning member 24, can be oriented selectively so as to deliberately adjust the amplitude of the incision angle are not excluded.

[0063] In this way, the wallpaper 11 , once cut to size, has a lateral edge 11 c, for the connection between the feeding surface 1 la and the decorative surface 1 lb, with an inclination equal to the incision angle , and remaining substantially hidden from view by the decorative surface 11b.

[0064] In the embodiment shown in the attached drawings, for each circular blade 22 the cutting unit 16 comprises a contrast tool, or contrast blade 30, operationally disposed on the opposite side to the circular blade with respect to the cutting bench and, therefore, to the wallpaper 11. The contrast blades 30 also lie on the same cutting plane CP which is inclined by the incision angle Q. This solution allows for a cut, so-called “scissor cut”, with the advantages of the solution according to the present invention.

[0065] Unlike known cutting units, therefore, both the one or more circular blades 22 and also the one or more contrast blades 30 are inclined by a same angle, lie on a same plane, and the angle that can be adjusted is the working angle with respect to the material to be cut.

[0066] It is clear that, according to any needs and requirements, the apparatus 10 disclosed here could operate autonomously, processing and cutting wallpaper 11 wound on a reel 12 and suitably fed as described above by way of example, or it could be combined in line with a printing machine disposed upstream and therefore could receive the wallpaper 11 , or the flexible material in general, directly from the printing machine.

[0067] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the apparatus 10 as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0068] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of an apparatus for cutting flexible printed material to size, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0069] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Cutting unit ( 16) for an apparatus ( 10) for cutting a flexible printed material (11) to size, characterized in that it comprises at least one cutting bench (28) on which said flexible printed material (11) rests, one or more cutting tools (22) opposed to said cutting bench (28), with respect to said flexible printed material (11), and configured to lie on a cutting plane (CP) inclined by a certain incision angle (Q) with respect to a plane (OP) orthogonal to said cutting bench (28), and one or more contrast tools (30) operationally coupled to said one or more cutting tools (22) on the opposite side with respect to said flexible printed material (11) and lying on said cutting plane (CP) inclined by said incision angle ( ).

2. Cutting unit (16) as in claim 1, characterized in that said incision angle (Q) has an amplitude of less than 20°.

3. Cutting unit (16) as in claim 2, characterized in that said incision angle (Q) is between about 5° and about 20°, in particular between about 7° and about 15°.

4. Cutting unit (16) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least a first pair of cutting tools (22) distanced from each other by a certain distance (D) and configured to cut said flexible printed material (11) and define a first sheet (13) with a width substantially equivalent to said distance (D).

5. Cutting unit (16) as in claim 4, characterized in that it also comprises a second pair of cutting tools (22) disposed alongside said first pair of cutting tools (22) and distanced from each other by a certain distance (D), and configured to cut said flexible printed material (11) and define a sheet (13) with a width substantially equivalent to said distance (D).

6. Cutting unit (16) as in any previous claim from 4 onward, characterized in that it comprises a support structure (23) disposed substantially transverse to a feeding direction (FD) of said flexible printed material (11), and positioning members (24) selectively moveable along said support structure (23) and configured to support said cutting tools (22).

7. Cutting unit (16) as in claim 6, characterized in that said positioning members (24) comprise at least one attachment arm (27) on which at least one of said cutting tools (22) is rotatably mounted.

8. Cutting unit (16) as in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said positioning members (24) each provide a digital meter (25) by means of which it is possible toconstantly detect the relative position of each positioning member (24) with respect to the support structure (23).

9. Cutting unit (16) as in one or other of the previous claims, characterized in that said cutting bench (28) comprises a plurality of rest elements (29) disposed transversely distanced from each other, with which said cutting tools (22) cooperate in a manner opposed with respect to said flexible printed material (11).

10. Flexible printed material (11) cut to size by means of at least one cutting unit (16), characterized in that it comprises at least one feeding surface (I la) and a lateral edge (11c) which is cut by means of one or more cutting tools (22) of said cutting unit (16), and having an inclination of a certain incision angle ( ) with respect to a plane (OP) orthogonal to said feeding surface (I la).

11. Apparatus (10) for cutting a flexible printed material (1 1) to size comprising at least one feeding unit (15) configured to feed said flexible printed material (11) in a certain feeding direction (FD), and at least one cutting unit (16) as in any claim hereinbefore and configured to cut said flexible printed material (11) in a cutting direction (CD) substantially parallel to said feeding direction (FD).

12. Apparatus (10) as in claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a support frame (14) with which said at least one feeding unit (15) and said at least one cutting unit (16) are operationally associated.

13. Apparatus (10) as in claim 12, characterized in that said feeding unit (15) comprises a support structure (17) mounted transversally mobile on said support frame (14).

14. Apparatus (10) as in claim 13, characterized in that it comprises, in the event said flexible printed material (11) comes from a reel (12), a decoder (18) associated with said support structure (17), said reel (12) being mounted on said decoiler (18), and at least one tensioning roller (19) suitable to tension and stretch said flexible printed material (11).

15. Apparatus (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims from 11 to 14, characterized in that said feeding unit (15) comprises a feeding roller (20), by means of which said flexible printed material (11) is fed to said cutting unit (16).

Images