EP3529187B1 - Device and method for sampling and deflection for blanks - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sampling device which deflects a plate element serving as a sample taken away from the normal processing circuit, while the plate elements circulate continuously at the output of a processing machine. treatment. The sample taken is used, for example, for its control, and / or for its disposal. The invention also relates to a deflection and sampling method for such plate elements.

Machines for processing plate elements are used in the field of manufacturing packaging, and in particular packaging made from pre-cut sheets or strips, in particular sheet elements of paper, plastic or cardboard, whether it is flat or wavy. These may be machines which perform a treatment of these plate elements, for example cutting, scoring, embossing and printing.

State of the art

In the machines of the prior art, this sampling is carried out by stopping the machine in order to manually take a plate element forming the sample. In other cases, a systematic and continuous inspection of each individual plate element is carried out as it passes through a module dedicated to inspection, for example visual inspection. This involves taking, away from the normal processing circuit, on demand or cyclically, at least one plate element forming a sample.

Such a deviation from the normal processing circuit is in particular implemented downstream of a printing machine, in the case of printing carried out on the upper face of the plate element, without contact with the upper face of the element. 'plate element so as not to damage this upper face. Such a deviation from the normal processing circuit can also be implemented at another location of the normal processing circuit, to set aside the non-conforming plate element (s). EP 2213449 A1 discloses a sampling device for plate elements in a sorting unit, comprising a deflection piece mounted to rotate and having at least one end, so that when the deflection piece rotates according to a first angular sector, the projection horizontal end remains above a transport plane, and during rotation along a second angular sector complementary to the first angular sector, the horizontal projection of the end (532B, 533B) protrudes below the plane, by so as to deflect a plate element in a different direction of the plane, and thus to sample the plate element. The document also discloses a method for deviating the path and for sampling a plate element at the outlet of a processing machine in which said deviation part is implemented.

Disclosure of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a sampling device and a sampling and deflection process for the transfer of a plate member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a deflection method and a sampling device allowing the continuous advance of the plate elements, without slowing down the rate of advance of the plate elements, in order to continue the steps normally. treatment for non-deflected plate elements.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to carry out the deviation, either on demand or according to a programmed frequency. The change of destination of the deflection can occur, for example, after a single blank is deflected, and before a series of plate members are not deflected. It can also occur after a first set of plate members is deflected for sampling, and before another set of plate members is not deflected.

To this end, an attempt is made to make it possible to modify the destination of the sampling device quickly, and in a precise manner, so as not to hamper the proper functioning of the machine for processing the plate elements.

• des moyens de transport, les moyens de transport définissant un plan de transport, et les moyens de transports étant aptes à déplacer un élément en plaque, longitudinalement de l'amont vers l'aval,
• un axe, situé au niveau des moyens de transport, et s'étendant transversalement,
• une pièce de déviation, montée rotative par rapport à l'axe, et présentant au moins une extrémité, de sorte que lors de la rotation de la pièce de déviation selon un premier secteur angulaire, la projection horizontale de l'extrémité reste en dessous du plan, et lors de la rotation selon un deuxième secteur angulaire complémentaire du premier secteur angulaire la projection horizontale de l'extrémité dépasse au-dessus du plan, de façon à dévier un élément en plaque dans une direction différente du plan et ainsi à échantillonner l'élément en plaque.

According to the invention, a sampling device for sampling plate elements in a sorting unit, comprises:

• means of transport, the means of transport defining a transport plane, and the means of transport being able to move a plate element, longitudinally from upstream to downstream,
• an axis, located at the level of the means of transport, and extending transversely,
• a deflection piece, mounted to rotate with respect to the axis, and having at least one end, so that during the rotation of the deflection piece according to a first angular sector, the horizontal projection of the end remains below the plane, and during the rotation according to a second angular sector complementary to the first angular sector, the horizontal projection of the end protrudes above the plane, so as to deflect a plate element in a direction different from the plane and thus to sample l 'plate element.

The moving plate member on the transport means is deflected by a rotational movement of a deflection piece. The plate element can follow the full path of the means of transport and then follow the path located in the extension, in particular for normal processing of the plate element, or else be diverted from the path of the means of transport, for its exit. and sampling.

This solution has in particular the advantage over the prior art of not having to stop or even slow down the machine for processing plate elements in order to take a sample and / or check one or more elements in plate. Thus, the processing rate of the plate elements does not change, and the number of successive deflected or non-deflected plate elements can be distributed as desired.

The present invention further relates to a sorting unit, comprising a sampling device as described and claimed, an exit conveyor, and an evacuation device for the sampled plate elements, the entrance of the evacuation device being arranged upstream and above the inlet of the outlet conveyor.

Such a sorting unit makes it possible to make a different selection of the plate elements at the outlet of the processing machine, depending on whether the plate element passes into the branch of the sampling device and of the discharge device or into the branch of the exit conveyor.

The present invention also relates to a machine for processing plate elements equipped with a sorting unit, as described and claimed.

• faire transporter en continu de l'amont vers l'aval un élément en plaque disposé dans un plan;
• faire tourner une pièce de déviation, montée en rotation par rapport à un axe transversal;
• mettre en contact et soutenir une face inférieure de la zone avant de l'élément en plaque, pendant le transport de l'élément en plaque, par une première extrémité de la pièce de déviation en saillie en dehors du plan de transport;
• faire incliner vers le haut la zone avant de l'élément en plaque;
• arrêter la rotation de la pièce de déviation;
• engager la zone avant de l'élément en plaque sur un dispositif d'évacuation et faire transporter l'élément en plaque, jusqu'à ce que la portion arrière de l'élément en plaque passe sur la première extrémité; et
• reprendre la rotation de la pièce de déviation jusqu'à ce que la projection horizontale de la première extrémité arrive plus bas que le plan, avant qu'un autre élément en plaque arrive à la verticale de la première extrémité.

The present invention also relates to a method for sampling and deviating the path of a plate element at the outlet of a processing machine. The method comprises the steps of:

• continuously transporting from upstream to downstream a plate element arranged in a plane;
• rotating a deflection part, mounted to rotate with respect to a transverse axis;
• contacting and supporting a lower face of the front area of the plate member, during transport of the plate member, by a first end of the deflection piece projecting out of the transport plane;
• tilt up the front area of the plate element;
• stop the rotation of the deflection piece;
• engaging the front area of the plate member on a discharge device and transporting the plate member, until the rear portion of the plate member passes over the first end; and
• resume rotation of the deflection piece until the horizontal projection of the first end is lower than the plane, before another plate member arrives vertically at the first end.

Such a deflection method can be implemented while the plate elements continuously arrive one behind the other on the transport means.

Brief description of the drawings

• la Figure 1 montre une unité de tri comprenant un dispositif d'échantillonnage pour éléments en plaque selon l'invention;
• la Figure 2 représente en perspective du dispositif d'échantillonnage de la Figure 1; et
• les Figures 3 à 8 montrent différentes étapes du fonctionnement du dispositif d'échantillonnage.

Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• the Figure 1 shows a sorting unit comprising a sampling device for plate elements according to the invention;
• the Figure 2 represents in perspective the sampling device of the Figure 1 ; and
• the Figures 3 to 8 show different stages of the operation of the sampling device.

The longitudinal direction is defined with respect to the direction of transport of the plate elements. The transverse direction is defined as being the direction orthogonal to the transverse direction and in the plane of transport of the plate members. The upstream, and respectively downstream, is defined as being a rear position, respectively front, with respect to the direction of transport of the plate element.

Detailed discussion of preferred embodiments

The sorting unit 100 illustrated on Fig. 1 forms an assembly arranged at the outlet of a machine for processing plate elements 1. Such a sorting unit 100 is advantageously arranged downstream of a printing machine for plate elements. The advance of the plate element 20 in the processing machine 1 and in the sorting unit 100 is carried out from upstream to downstream, in the direction and the direction of the Arrow A, that is to say from the right to the left in the Figures.

On the Fig. 1 , the sorting unit 100 comprises, from upstream to downstream, an inlet 101, a sampling device 110 according to the invention, an evacuation device 120, and an exit conveyor 130. In this example of realization, the normal processing circuit of the plate elements, which are not used as a sample and which are not discarded, passes through the input 101, the sampling device 110 in an inactive position and the output conveyor 130 .

The sampling device 110 according to the invention allows the transfer (Arrow B) of a plate element 20 from the inlet 101 of the sorting unit 100 to the normal processing circuit, namely to the outlet conveyor 130 The sampling device 110 according to the invention allows the transfer (Arrow C) of a plate element 20 or of several successive plate elements from the inlet 101 of the unit. sorting 100 towards the deflection of the plate element (s) towards the discharge device 120. The discharge device 120 is located above the exit conveyor 130.

The sampling device 110 firstly comprises transport means, in the form of one or more supports 112, on which is mounted one or more respective transport belts 111. To support the plate member 20 in its width, the sampling device 110 consists of several supports 112 arranged in parallel side by side. In the exemplary embodiment, four supports 112 respectively hold four transport belts 111 ( Fig. 2 ). Each of the supports 112 comprises an upstream upper pulley 102 located at the inlet 101, a downstream upper pulley at the outlet 103, a drive pulley and return pulleys (not visible).

The conveyor belts 111 are driven in the upstream-downstream direction. Each transport belt 111 has an upper portion 111 a, substantially horizontal, located and held between the upper upstream pulley 102 and the upper downstream pulley 103. The upper portion 111a defines a transport plane P0. The transport belts 111 are able to move (Arrow A) successively the plate elements 20 longitudinally from upstream to downstream, the plate elements 20 being disposed flat on the transport belt 111.

The sampling device 110 in the active position allows a plate member 20 advancing on the upper portion 111a of the transport belt 111 to climb on an evacuation ramp 121 of the evacuation device 120 ( Fig. 1 ). Preferably, this discharge ramp 121 also comprises a transfer belt, in the form of an endless belt ensuring the movement of the plate element which arrives on this discharge ramp 121 from upstream to downstream and thus its release from the upper portion 111a of the conveyor belt 111.

The sampling device 110 comprises a shaft 118, located at, passing through, and crossing the transport means 111 and 112, substantially towards the front of the transport means 111 and 112, under the upper portion 111a of the belt. transport 111, and extending transversely to the horizontal. The shaft 118 defines an axis of rotation R1.

The sampling device 110 comprises a deflection piece 113 mounted to rotate relative to the axis R1 on the shaft 118. In the exemplary embodiment, four deflection pieces 113 are arranged along the four supports 112, so to be offset laterally with respect to each of the four transport belts 111 ( Fig. 2 ).

The deflection piece 113 has at least one end 114 of the deployant opposite the axis R1. The end 114 is placed at a free end of an arm 115a. The other end of the arm 115a is secured to the body of the deflection part 113. The end 114 is for example equipped with a idler roller.

During the rotation of the deflection part 113 according to a first angular sector S1, the horizontal projection of the end 114 remains below the plane P0 and under the upper portion 111a of the transport belt 111. During the rotation of the deflection piece 113 according to a second angular sector S2, which is complementary to the first angular sector S1, the horizontal projection of the end 114 protrudes above the plane P0 and therefore protrudes above the upper portion 111a of the belt. transport 111. A plate element 20 is in this way deflected in a direction and a plane P1 different from the plane P0, which thus makes it possible to sample the plate element 20. The plane P1 is located above the plane P0 , the deflection being from the bottom to the top by the rotation of the deflection part 113 so as not to damage the plate elements 20 printed on their upper face.

In the embodiment shown, the support 112 is fixed, but it is conceivable that this support 112 is movable, and in particular articulated between several positions, in order to change in particular inclination, for example according to the position of the workpiece. deviation 113.

The following steps are implemented as illustrated in the Figs. 3 to 8 . In a step I, the end 114 is at the bottom in the inactive position of the sampling device 110. The deflection part 113 rotates in the anti-clockwise direction (Arrow T1). The end 114 arrives at the height of the upper portion 111a of the transport belt 111 (see Fig. 3 ).

In a step II, the deflection part 113 rotates, here still in the anti-clockwise direction (Arrow T2). The end 114 comes into contact with the underside of a front region of a plate member 20 (see Fig. 4 ), at the moment when the horizontal projection of the end 114 protrudes above the transport belt 111, and therefore of the upper portion 111a of the transport belt 111. Then the deflection piece 113 finishes rotating (Arrow T3 ), and the end 114 accompanies the movement of advance of the plate element 20 in the upstream-downstream direction A with a support. The plate element 20 thus tilts upwards in the plane P1, from its front zone and engages on the discharge ramp 121 of the discharge device 120 ( Fig. 5 ).

In a step III, the deflection piece 113 stops its rotation (see Fig. 6 ), while the plate element 20 advances on the discharge ramp 121, the end 114 supports and accompanies the forward movement of the plate element 20 also thanks to the idler roller. This corresponds to the active position of the sampling device 110.

In a step IV, the rear zone of the plate element 20 passes over the end 114, the deflection part 113 resumes its rotation (Arrow T4 in Fig. 7 ), and descends as the plate member 20 advances on the discharge ramp 121, the horizontal projection of the end 114 arriving lower than the conveyor belt 111 before another cutout 20 'arrives. the vertical of end 114 (see Fig. 8 ).

In a variant shown in the Figures, the deflection part 113 has at least one second end 116. The second end 116 is placed at a free end of a second arm 115b. The other end of the arm 115b is secured to the body of the deflection part 113. The second end 116 is for example equipped with a idle roller. The second end 116 may be located behind the end 114 relative to the direction of rotation of the deflection part 113.

The distance between the axis R1 and the second end 116 is smaller than the distance between the axis R1 and the end 114. In other words, the arm 115a is longer than the second arm 115b. During the rotation of the deflection piece 113, with the arm 115a and the second arm 115b towards the active position of the sampling device 110, the end 114 and of the second end 116 remain in contact with a plate member 20. .

In the active position of the sampling device 110 ( Figs. 6 and 7 ), in which the arm 115a and the second arm 115b are directed upwards, the top of the second end 116 is lower than the top of the end 114.

The following steps are implemented. In a step l ', the end 114 and the second end 116 are at the bottom in the inactive position of the sampling device 110, the deflection piece 113 with the arm 115a and the second arm 115b rotate together (T1), and the the end 114 comes up to the height of the upper portion 111a of the conveyor belt 111 (see Fig. 3 ).

In a step II ', the deflection piece 113, the arm 115a and the second arm 115b still rotate in the anti-clockwise direction (T2 in Fig. 4 ). The end 114 comes into contact with the underside of a front region of a plate member 20 (see Fig. 5 ) as the horizontal projection of the end 114 protrudes above the conveyor belt 111, and thus the upper portion 111a of the transport 111. Then the deflection piece 113, the arm 115a and the second arm 115b still rotate (T3), and the end 114 accompanies the forward movement of the plate member 20 in the upstream-downstream direction (A ) with support. The plate element 20 tilts upwards from its front end and engages in the plane P1 on the discharge ramp 121 of the discharge device 120 (see Fig. 6 ).

In a step III ', the deflection piece 113, the arm 115a and the second arm 115b stop their rotation while the plate element 20 advances on the discharge ramp 121. The end 114 supports and accompanies the movement of 'advance of the plate member 20 by rotation of the idler roller, until the moment when the plate member 20 tilts and also comes into contact with the second end 116. The second end 116 then also accompanies the advancing movement of the plate element 20 by rotation of the idler roller. This corresponds to the active position of the sampling device 110.

In a step IV ', the rear portion of the plate element 20 passes over the end 114, the deflection piece 113 resumes its rotation (T4 in Fig. 7 ), and descends as the plate member 20 advances up the discharge ramp 121, the horizontal projection of the end 114 and the horizontal projection of the second end 116 arriving lower than the conveyor belt 111 before another cutout 20 'does not reach the vertical of the second end 116 (see Fig. 8 ).

The plate element 20 is first lifted by the end 114 on which it swings before resting on the second end 116. Thanks to the presence of this second end 116, the plate element 20 is supported on the along two transverse lines. Each transverse line is formed by the contact points on the ends 114, respectively the second end 116, where appropriate on the respective idle rollers.

This avoids the tendency of the plate member 20 to bend around the series of ends 114 if the plate member 20 is little or not rigid. Preferably, the angle between the arm 115a and the second arm 115b is less than 60 °, and is of the order of 45 °.

In one embodiment, one or more pressure rollers 117 are arranged above the discharge ramp 121, in order to help guide the plate elements 20 on the discharge ramp 121. In order not to press on the elements. plate elements 20 on a printed area, these pressure rollers 117 are placed directly above a side edge of the plate elements 20. In another embodiment not shown, no pressure roller is used.

In the embodiment shown, the evacuation device 120 is a device for setting aside one or more plate elements 20, up to a sampling table 122.

In this exemplary embodiment, a plate element 20 serving as a sample therefore passes over an upstream section of the upper portion 111a of the transport belt 111 (plane P0), over the end 114 (and possibly over the second end 116 ), on the evacuation ramp 121 (C and P1), and finally on the sampling table 122.

When this plate member 20 arrives on the sampling table 122, it is then no longer driven and remains in a stationary position. The plate member 20 can be picked up by an operator. The plate element 20 can be taken by an automated system and placed on a control station equipped with optical means to control the quality of the printing produced. The optical control can be performed directly on the sampling table 122.

For most plate elements, the sampling device 110 is in the inactive position. In this case, the plate member 20 advances by the looping movement of the transport belt 111, from the rear input end 101 to the front end of the upper portion 111a of the transport belt 111. In this case, after the sampling device 110, the plate element 20 arrives (B) on the output conveyor 130.

When the operator wishes or programs the sampling device 110 to deflect one or more plate elements 20 as sample (s), the motor which drives the rotation of the shaft 118 and of the deflection part 113 according to a cycle in accordance with the aforementioned steps A to D is controlled manually or automatically.

• déplacement en continu d'un élément en plaque 20 disposée à plat dans un plan de transport P0 sur une courroie de transport 111 mobile entre l'amont et l'aval A,
• mise en contact et soutien de la face inférieure de la zone avant de l'élément en plaque 20, pendant l'avancée de l'élément en plaque 20 sur la courroie de transport 111, et suite à la rotation T1, T2 et T3 par rapport à un axe R1 orthogonal à la direction amont-aval de la pièce de déviation 113, par une extrémité 114 en saillie en dehors du plan P0, ce qui permet à l'élément en plaque 20 de s'incliner vers le haut depuis son extrémité avant, puis
• arrêt de la rotation de la pièce de déviation 113, et engagement de la zone avant de l'élément en plaque 20 sur une rampe d'évacuation 121 du dispositif d'évacuation 120 par mouvement de la courroie de transport 111, jusqu'à ce que la portion arrière de l'élément en plaque 20 passe C sur l'extrémité 114, puis
• reprise de la rotation T4 de la pièce de déviation 113 qui descend, tandis que l'élément en plaque 20 avance sur la rampe d'évacuation 121, la projection horizontale de l'extrémité 114 arrivant plus bas que la courroie de transport 111 avant qu'une autre découpe 20' n'arrive à la verticale de l'extrémité 114.

The invention also relates to a method for sampling and deviating the path of a plate element 20 at the outlet of a processing machine 1 in a sorting unit 100. The method comprises the following steps:

• continuous movement of a plate element 20 disposed flat in a transport plane P0 on a transport belt 111 movable between upstream and downstream A,
• placing in contact and support of the lower face of the front zone of the plate element 20, during the advance of the plate element 20 on the transport belt 111, and following the rotation T1, T2 and T3 by relative to an axis R1 orthogonal to the upstream-downstream direction of the deflection part 113, by an end 114 projecting outside the plane P0, which allows the plate element 20 to tilt upwards from its front end, then
• stopping the rotation of the deflection piece 113, and engagement of the front zone of the plate member 20 on an evacuation ramp 121 of the evacuation device 120 by movement of the conveyor belt 111, until that the rear portion of the plate member 20 passes C over the end 114, then
• resumption of the rotation T4 of the deflection piece 113 which descends, while the plate member 20 advances on the discharge ramp 121, the horizontal projection of the end 114 arriving lower than the conveyor belt 111 before it 'another cutout 20' arrives vertically from the end 114.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated. Numerous modifications can be made without departing from the framework defined by the scope of the set of claims.

Claims (11)

1. Sampling device (110) for plate elements (20) in a sorting unit (100), comprising:

   - transport means (111, 112), defining a plane (P0), and capable of moving (A) a plate element (20) longitudinally from upstream to downstream,

   - an axis (R1), situated at the level of the transport means (111, 112), and extending transversally,

   - a deviating part (113), mounted rotating with respect to the axis (R1), and having at least one end (114), such that during the rotation of the deviating part (113) according to a first angular sector (S1), the horizontal projection of the end (114) remains below the plane (P0), and during the rotation according to a second angular sector (S2) complementary to the first angular sector (S1), the horizontal projection of the end (114) exceeds above the plane (P0), so as to deviate a plate element (20) in a direction different from the plane (P0), and thus to sample the plate element (20).
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the deviating part (113) further comprises a second end (116), situated behind the end (114) with respect to the rotation direction of the deviating part (113), the end (114) and the second end (116) deviating successively the plate element (20) needing to be sampled.
3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the axis (R1) and the second end (116) is smaller than the distance between the axis (R1) and the end (114).
4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the angular position of the end (114) and of the second end (116) makes it possible at the end (114) and at the second end (116) to enter into contact with a plate element (20).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deviating part (113) comprises a first arm (115a), the end (114) being placed at the level of a free end of the first arm (115a), the other end being secured to the body of the deviating part (113).
6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the deviating part (113) comprises a second arm (115b), the second end (116) being placed at the level of a free end of the second arm (115b), the other end being secured to the body of the deviating part (113).
7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the end (114) and the second end (116) are each equipped with a roller, free in rotation.
8. Sorting unit (100), comprising a sampling device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, an output conveyor (130), and an evacuation device (120) for the sampled plate elements, the input of the evacuation device (120) being arranged upstream and above the input of the output conveyor (130).
9. Sorting unit according to claim 8, further comprising a sample table (122) situated downstream from the evacuation device (120).
10. Plate element processing machine (1) equipped with a sorting unit (100) according to claim 9 or 10.
11. Method for deviating from the path and for sampling a plate element (20) at the output of a processing machine, comprising steps consisting of:

    - Transporting a plate element (20) arranged in a transport plane (P0) continuously from upstream to downstream (A);

    - Rotating a deviating part (113), mounted in rotation with respect to a transversal axis (R1);

    - Putting into contact and supporting a lower face of the front zone of the plate element (20), during the transport of the plate element (20) by an end (114) of the deviating part (113) projecting outside of the plane (P0);

    - tilting the front zone of plate element (20) upwards;

    - stopping the rotation of the deviating part (113);

    - engaging the front zone of the plate element (20) on an evacuation device (120) and transporting the plate element (20) until the rear portion of the plate element (20) passes over the end (114); and

    - resuming the rotation of the deviating part (113) until the horizontal projection of the end (114) comes to lower than the plane (P0), before another plate element (20) comes to the vertical of the end (114).

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