Automatic machine for removing a transfer film and related method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic machine for removing a transfer film (3) suitable for acting on a part (1) placed on a pallet (4), a part (1) on which a transfer film (3) has been pressed comprising an immobilizer presser foot (56), a transfer film presser foot (52) equipped with a protuberance, and a gripper (55) having at least one orifice for the release of pressurized gas flow. A corresponding method is also claimed, whereby the gripper (55) cooperates with the transfer film presser foot (52), both promoting the removal of the film (3).

Description

AUTOMATIC TRANSFER FILM REMOVAL MACHINE AND ITS PROCESS

[0001] The invented automatic machine is intended for removing film from transfer film, and the transfer films are produced in PET, Polyethylene terephthalate, typically with thicknesses of less than 1.0 mm.

[0002] The machine is specifically designed for the textile industry, but it can also be used for removing coatings from transfer films on other materials.

[0003] In DTF (Direct to Film) printing, "peeling," that is, the operation of peeling off the film, occurs after the transfer film – also known as transfer paper – is pressed in a heat press.

[0004] This subsequent peeling operation is often done manually.

[0005] However, in a manufacturing context, it is important that this operation be fully automated.

[0006] There are known devices for film removal that use adhesive tapes or vacuum suction cups, but these devices have the disadvantage of requiring transfer films with significant margins, often greater than 5.0 cm, in relation to the design to be printed.

[0007] On the other hand, these devices often fail to remove the film properly, forcing interruptions in the production process.

[0008] Now, the invented machine solves these and other problems, and allows for the collection of used films for later reuse or as properly separated waste.

[0009] In the DTF printing automation chain, each part passes through the heat press, and the pallets carrying these parts successively arrive at the next station, which is responsible for film removal.

[0010] The invented machine solves the problem of film removal automatically, quickly and efficiently, without causing damage to either the print or the part, minimizing problems of misalignment that often force production to stop.

[0011] Thus, the invented machine is equipped with a support structure, which can be materialized in a stringer, and a presser foot called a transfer film presser foot or DTF presser foot is attached to this structure.

[0012] This DTF presser foot presses, for obvious reasons, either the transfer film or the workpiece.

[0013] A claw is also attached to said support structure.

[0014] Preferably, a workpiece immobilizing presser foot is also attached to the aforementioned support structure.

[0015] The gripper works in conjunction with the DTF presser foot to remove the film, which is what remains of the transfer film after the design or representation incorporated in the transfer film has become incorporated into the garment.

[0016] The invented machine is also characterized by the DTF presser foot having a protrusion.

[0017] A cross-section of this protrusion, along a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the support structure, preferably has the shape of a circle or segment of a circle, or a rounded shape, and it is this protrusion that, during the downward movement of the DTF presser foot, presses the extreme edge of the transfer film.

[0018] The extreme edge of the transfer film should be understood as the edge that is closest to the end of the support structure.

[0019] The extreme margin should also be understood as the free space surrounding the motif or representation.

[0020] It is, therefore, an extremely free margin.

[0021] On the other hand, the extreme top of the DTF presser foot has a shape that is conjugated to the shape of the inner top of the gripper.

[0022] These ends – the extreme end of the DTF presser foot and the inner end of the gripper – can have a succession of interlocking grooves functioning as interleaved teeth.

[0023] For a better understanding of the invention, the references and names of the elements of the automatic transfer film stripping machine are indicated below: 1 – part 2 – transfer film 3 – film 4 – pallet 5 – automatic transfer film stripping machine or machine 50 – support structure 51 – end of the support structure 52 – transfer film presser foot or DTF presser foot 53 – protrusion 54 – end of the DTF presser foot 55 – gripper 551 – inner end of the gripper 552 – hole or holes 56 – immobilizing presser foot 57 – film deposit basket or basket 58 – DTF presser foot and gripper carriage

[0024] Now, the combined action of the DTF presser foot (52) and the gripper (55) allows the film (3) to be detached from the part (1) and also allows each film to be deposited in the basket (57) with which the machine (5) is also equipped.

[0025] In this way the films (3) can be reused or recycled.

[0026] The invented machine (5) was designed so that it could be integrated, for example, into the set of machines that make up the well-known automatic circular printing machines, and in the cycle of operations that the printing process comprises, the invented machine (5) is responsible for the phasing of operations that is described below.

[0027] As soon as the pallet (4) arrives at the peeling station carrying the part (1) to which the transfer film (2) has already been applied, the following happens: First, the immobilizing foot (56) of the part performs a downward movement and presses the part, this in an area that does not interfere with either the DTF foot (52) or the gripper (55); Then (or simultaneously with the first phase), the DTF foot (52) performs a downward movement and the protrusion (53) with which it is equipped presses the free end margin of the transfer film and also presses the part (1).

[0028] As a consequence of this operation and the functional forms, both of the protrusion (53) and of the extreme top of the DTF presser foot (54), which can be chamfered, the extreme edge of the transfer film is propelled upwards, tending to approach the extreme top of the DTF presser foot (54).

[0029] The next phase may consist of sub-phases a) or b): If the DTF presser foot (52) and the gripper (55) are part of the same carriage [DTF presser foot and gripper carriage (58)], the downward movement of the carriage affects them equally, such that when the DTF presser foot presses the workpiece (1), a gas flow (it may be a blast of air) is activated which exits under pressure through the orifice or orifices (552) of the gripper (55), and the gripper starts moving, executing a horizontal movement of approach to the DTF presser foot, until the inner top of the gripper (551) presses the extreme top of the DTF presser foot (54);If the DTF presser foot (52) and the gripper (55) are not part of the same carriage, then the gripper carriage performs a downward movement, until it aligns, at most, with the upper surface of the DTF presser foot protrusion, then a gas flow is activated, expelled through the gripper orifices (552), and the gripper performs a horizontal movement, approaching the DTF presser foot, until the inner top of the gripper (551) presses the extreme top of the DTF presser foot (54).

[0030] As a consequence of these operations, the extreme edge of the film, raised either by the pressure of the protrusion or by the gas flow, is firmly held between the inner top of the gripper (551) and the extreme top of the DTF presser foot (54).

[0031] The gripper and presser foot of the transfer film perform a combined upward movement, moving away from the workpiece.

[0032] Subsequently, the gripper and the DTF presser foot (pressed against each other and holding the extreme edge of the film) perform a joint horizontal movement, moving away from the end of the support structure (51), that is, a movement towards the basket.

[0033] As a result, they release the film (3) from the piece (1).

[0034] Finally, when the gripper and the DTF presser foot, holding the film (3), are aligned above the basket (57), the gripper (55) moves away from the DTF presser foot (52) and the film falls into the basket.

[0035] A new cycle follows, repeating all the phases.

[0036] The invented machine (5) allows the extreme free margin of the transfer film to have a width of less than 2.0 cm, and its precision allows working safely with smaller values, i.e., within the range of 5.0 to 10.0 mm.

[0037] This precision is an advantage over known automatic devices that require larger areas of white space all around the subject to be printed.

[0038] For a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is presented which is an integral part of the invention, but which should not limit it, highlighting below the main elements and parts of the invention: Fig. 1

[0039] [Fig. 1] represents a possible embodiment of the invented machine (5), showing the support structure (50), which is a stringer, as well as the end of the support structure (51), also showing the immobilizing presser foot (56), the gripper (55), the DTF presser foot (52) and the basket (57); Fig. 2

[0040] [Fig. 2] represents a partial side view of the invented machine, showing the support structure (50), the immobilizing presser foot (56), the workpiece (1), the pallet (4), the gripper (55), the protrusion (53), the transfer film (2) and the DTF presser foot (52); Fig. 3

[0041] [Fig. 3] represents a partial side view of the invented machine, showing the immobilizing presser foot (56), the workpiece (1), the pallet (4), the gripper (55), the film (3) and the DTF presser foot (52) that presses the workpiece and the extreme edge of the transfer film, the extreme edge which is raised and which initiates the separation of the film, either by the action of the pressure of the protrusion, or by the action of the gas flow; Fig. 4

[0042] [Fig. 4] represents a partial side view of the invented machine, showing the immobilizing presser foot (56), the part (1), the pallet (4) and the gripper (55) and the DTF presser foot (52) jointly holding the extreme edge of the transfer film, giving rise to the separation of the film; Fig. 5

[0043] [Fig. 5] represents a side view of the invented machine, showing the DTF presser foot carriage and gripper (58), the film (3) being deposited into the basket (57), the immobilizing presser foot (56), the pallet (4) and the workpiece (1); Fig. 6

[0044] [Fig. 6] represents, in perspective, a detail of the gripper and the DTF presser foot in a phase prior to the joining of the inner top of the gripper (551) with the extreme top of the DTF presser foot (54), also showing the gripper holes (552), the protrusion (53) of the DTF presser foot and the film (3) at the beginning of the decapping.

[0045] The invented automatic transfer film removal machine can be implemented using a pneumatic mechanism.

[0046] Such a machine, suitable for operating on a workpiece onto which a transfer film has been pressed, the film having a free end margin and comprising a support structure, is characterized by having a workpiece immobilizing presser foot, by having a transfer film presser foot with a protrusion, by having a gripper with at least one orifice for the release of pressurized gas flow, by the transfer film presser foot and the gripper being part of the same carriage, or by the transfer film presser foot and the gripper having separate carriages, or by the gripper and the transfer film presser foot being able to move together by pressing against each other.

[0047] Ideally, the transfer film presser foot and the clamp will be part of the same carriage.

[0048] On the other hand, the protrusion will preferably have a rounded shape, and may form a continuous or discontinuous profile.

[0049] Preferably, the outermost tip of the transfer film presser foot and the inner tip of the gripper will be chamfered.

[0050] Furthermore, nothing prevents the lower surface of the gripper from being situated above the lower surface of the transfer film presser foot, this latter surface being the one from which the protrusion stands out.

[0051] There may be an advantage in this offset of the lower surfaces, where the lower surface of the gripper is on a slightly higher plane, to ensure that the gripper, when moving towards the transfer film presser foot, does not catch on the workpiece.

[0052] This particular way of materializing the machine has the advantage of guaranteeing its proper functioning, regardless of the type and / or material of the workpiece and / or whether the surface of the workpiece is completely flat or not.

[0053] In this particular machine design, the decapping process involves fewer stages, resulting in greater efficiency and speed.

[0054] Thus, the film removal process is characterized by the following phases: The immobilizing presser foot performs a downward movement and presses the workpiece at the same time that the carriage, which includes the gripper and the transfer film presser foot, also performs a downward movement until the protrusion presses the free edge of the transfer film and presses the workpiece; A gas flow is activated that exits, under pressure, through the orifice(s) of the gripper, performing a horizontal movement of approach to the transfer film presser foot until the free edge of the transfer film, lifted by the pressure of the protrusion and also lifted by the action of the gas flow, corresponding to the beginning of the film separation, is trapped between the inner top of the gripper and the extreme top of the DTF presser foot; The gripper and the transfer film presser foot perform a joint upward movement, moving away from the workpiece;The gripper and the transfer film presser foot perform a combined horizontal movement, moving away from the end of the support structure and positioning themselves above the basket; the gripper moves away from the transfer film presser foot and the film falls into the basket.

Claims

Automatic transfer film removal machine (5), suitable for operating on a part (1) onto which a transfer film (2) has been pressed, the transfer film having a free end margin, comprising a support structure (50), characterized by having a part immobilizing presser foot (56), by having a transfer film presser foot (52) having a protrusion (53), by having a gripper (55) having at least one orifice (552) for the exit of pressurized gas flow, by the transfer film presser foot (52) and the gripper (55) being part of the same carriage, or by the transfer film presser foot (52) and the gripper (55) having separate carriages, by the gripper (55) and the transfer film presser foot (52) being able to move together by pressing against each other. Automatic transfer film removal machine (5), suitable for acting on a part (1) onto which a transfer film (2) has been pressed, the transfer film having a free end margin, comprising a support structure (50), according to claim no. 1, characterized in that the protrusion (53) has a rounded shape, and may form a continuous or discontinuous profile. Automatic transfer film removal machine (5), suitable for operating on a part (1) onto which a transfer film (2) has been pressed, the transfer film having a free end margin, comprising a support structure (50), according to claim no. 1, characterized in that the end of the DTF presser foot (54) has a shape conjugated to the shape of the inner end of the gripper (551). Automatic transfer film removal machine (5), suitable for operating on a part (1) onto which a transfer film (2) has been pressed, the transfer film having a free end margin, comprising a support structure (50), according to claim no. 3, characterized in that the end of the DTF presser foot (54) and the inner end of the gripper (551) are chamfered. Automatic transfer film removal machine (5), suitable for operating on a part (1) onto which a transfer film (2) has been pressed, the transfer film having a free end margin, comprising a support structure (50), according to claim no. 3, characterized in that the end of the DTF presser foot (54) has one or more grooves interspersed with the corresponding groove or grooves with which the inner end of the gripper (551) is also provided. Automatic transfer film removal machine (5), suitable for acting on a part (1) onto which a transfer film (2) has been pressed, the transfer film having a free end margin, comprising a support structure (50), according to claim no. 1, characterized by being equipped with a basket (57). Process for removing a transfer film (2) from a part (1) onto which a transfer film (2) has been pressed, the transfer film having a free end margin, using an automatic transfer film removal machine (5) as described in the first claim, characterized by the following phases: Phase 7.1 - The immobilizing presser foot (56) of the part performs a downward movement and presses the part (1) in an area that does not interfere with either the transfer film presser foot (52) or the gripper (55); Phase 7.2 - The transfer film presser foot (52) performs a downward movement and the protrusion (53) with which it is equipped presses the free end margin of the transfer film and presses the part (1); Phase 7.3 - The gripper (55) performs a downward movement, at most, until it aligns with the upper surface of the protrusion of the transfer film presser foot; Phase 7.4 - A gas flow is activated, exiting under pressure through the orifice(s) (552) of the gripper, causing the gripper (55) to perform a horizontal movement towards the transfer film presser foot (52) until the free end of the transfer film, lifted by the pressure of the protrusion (53) and also by the gas flow, is trapped between the inner top of the gripper (551) and the end of the DTF presser foot (54); Phase 7.5 - The gripper (55) and the transfer film presser foot (52) perform a joint upward movement, moving away from the workpiece (1); Phase 7.6 - The gripper (55) and the transfer film presser foot (52) perform a joint horizontal movement, moving away from the end of the support structure (51) and positioning themselves above the basket (57); Phase 7.7 - The gripper (55) performs a movement away from the transfer film presser foot (52) and the film (3) falls into the basket (57). Process for removing the film from a part (1) onto which a transfer film (2) has been pressed, the transfer film having a free end margin, using an automatic transfer film stripping machine (5) according to claim no. 7, characterized by the following phases: Phase 8.1 - The immobilizing presser foot (56) of the workpiece performs a downward movement and presses the workpiece (1) at the same time that the carriage, which includes the gripper (55) and the transfer film presser foot (52), also performs a downward movement until the protrusion (53) presses the extreme free edge of the transfer film and presses the workpiece (1), with phases 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 being reduced to phase 8.1; Phase 8.2 – corresponds to phase 7.4; Phase 8.3 – corresponds to phase 7.5; Phase 8.4 - corresponds to phase 7.6; Phase 8.5 - corresponds to phase 7.7.

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