TWI869999B - Alignment module for irregular edges - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an alignment module (11) for a converting machine (1). The alignment module comprises an alignment device (30) having an upper pressing member (22), a lower conveyor (24) and a guide (26). The guide is further provided with a downwardly sloping inlet end (32), the inlet end being configured to direct a lateral portion of the blank under the guide, while contacting the lateral guiding surface (40) with an internal segment edge (S1, S2) of the blank, the internal segment edge being arranged closer to the central longitudinal axis of the blank than the lateral portion of the blank positioned under the guide.

Description

Alignment module for irregular edges

The present invention relates to a converting machine for producing paper and paperboard containers such as folding boxes. In particular, the present invention relates to an alignment module configured to laterally align blanks having irregular lateral edges.

Converters such as folder-gluers are used to produce paperboard and paperboard boxes. These machines are configured to receive cut and shaped blanks and then fold and glue the blanks to form folding boxes or other similar packaging containers. The blanks have cut lines that define the overall shape of the blank and crease lines that define the folding locations.

In order to ensure that folding is performed at the position defined by the crease lines, the folder-gluer comprises an alignment module upstream of the folding module. The alignment module is configured to align the blank laterally. An example of an alignment module is described in document US7398872.

The alignment module in US7398872 comprises an upper pressing member and a lower conveyor, which are configured to receive and convey the blanks in the gap therebetween. The blanks are conveyed with one lateral edge being pushed against a lateral guide extending in the conveying direction of the blanks. In this way, the blanks are aligned laterally in the converter.

Depending on the geometry of the blank, the alignment module can be configured to align the left or right side of the blank. Typically, straight or uniform lateral edges are more conducive to alignment against guides than irregular lateral edges. However, for some blanks, both the left and right lateral edges are irregular. This type of blank is designed to form anti-smash lock boxes, wallet-style packaging, hand-assembled boxes. These boxes can also be provided with adhesive strips.

Therefore, these types of blanks are difficult to align in the transport direction and there is a risk of causing the blanks to rotate during transport in the alignment module.

In view of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to improve the alignment of blanks with irregular lateral edges.

This goal is achieved by using an alignment module such as Technical Solution 1.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an alignment module for a converter is provided, the alignment module being configured to correct the lateral position of a blank conveyed through the converter in a conveying direction. The blank comprises a first peripheral lateral edge and a second peripheral lateral edge, the first and second peripheral lateral edges being arranged at opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis of the blank and extending in the conveying direction. The alignment module comprises at least one alignment device having an upper pressing member, a lower conveyor and a guide, wherein the upper pressing member and the lower conveyor are configured to receive and convey the blank in a gap therebetween, and wherein the guide is an elongated rod having a lateral guide surface and extending in the conveying direction.

The guide further has a downwardly inclined entry end configured to guide a lateral portion of the blank beneath the guide while causing the lateral guide surface to contact an inner segment edge of the blank that is disposed closer to a central longitudinal axis of the blank than the lateral portion of the blank positioned beneath the guide. The downwardly inclined entry end has a wedge shape.

The first and second peripheral lateral edges are irregular and may each include a plurality of segment edges extending in the conveying direction and arranged at different lateral positions from the central longitudinal axis of the blank. The term "irregular edge" means an edge that is not straight.

Each peripheral lateral edge includes a distal segment edge and at least one inner segment edge, the inner segment edge being positioned closer to the central longitudinal axis of the blank than the distal segment edge.

The guide piece presses the components and conveyor belt laterally to position them.

The invention is based on the recognition that an irregular lateral edge comprises a plurality of different segment edges arranged at different lateral positions. The position and length of some inner segment edges make them more conducive to alignment than the segment edges located farthest in the lateral direction (i.e., the distal lateral edges). The lateral direction is defined as perpendicular to the direction of transport of the blank. By providing a guide having a downwardly inclined inlet portion that forces the end of the blank to be located below it, the inner lateral segment edges can be accessed by the alignment surface of the guide.

According to one embodiment, the lower conveyor is positioned so that lateral portions of the blank are not supported by the lower conveyor.

In this way, the edge is unsupported and guided downwards under the alignment guide by gravity.

In one embodiment, the alignment guide has a groove, and wherein the groove is configured to retain a guide edge of the blank. The guide edge is an inner edge in the blank.

In one embodiment, the alignment module includes an inlet portion, wherein the upper pressing member is disposed at a distance from the lower conveyor, and wherein the downwardly inclined inlet end of the guide is located in the inlet portion.

The alignment guide may be laterally displaceable.

In one specific embodiment, the upper alignment module further includes a slide, and wherein the connecting axis of the slide coincides with the connecting axis of the guide rail.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a converter is provided, which includes an alignment module according to the first aspect of the present invention, and wherein the converter further includes a folding module and a blank rotating module configured to rotate the blank by 90°. The converter includes a second alignment module disposed between the blank rotating module and the folding module.

The blank rotating module and the second alignment module may be separate modules mounted on two separate bases. Alternatively, the blank rotating module and the second alignment module may be a combined module having a single base.

1: Folder Gluer

2: Cutting and forming the blank

2': Folding box/packaging container

4: Longitudinal crease line

4a: Crease line

4b: Crease line

6a: First peripheral lateral edge

6b: Second peripheral lateral edge

9: Second alignment module

10: Feeder module

11: Alignment module

12: Folding pre-diagnosis module

13: Adhesive strip module

14: Adhesive module

15: Main user interface

16: Folding module

17: Blank rotation module

18:Quality control system

19:Conveying system

20: Central control circuit system

21: Delivery module and adjustment section

22: Upper pressing member

23: Press the roller

24: Alignment conveyor/lower conveyor

25: Annular conveyor belt

26: Guide piece

28: Slide

30: Alignment device

30a: First alignment device

30b: Second alignment device

32: Entrance end

34:Export end

36: Longitudinal guide part

37: Upper surface

39: Lower surface/lower side

40: Alignment surface/lateral guide surface

41: Groove

42: Loading surface

44: Drive belt

α: Tilt angle

AC:Connection axis

C: Center longitudinal axis

D1: Far fragment edge

d2: Lateral gap

D2: Far fragment edge

E0: Lateral part

H: Horizontal direction

I: Entrance section/entrance part

L: Lateral direction

La: longitudinal length

Lb: Longitudinal length

S1: Internal segment edge

S2: Internal fragment edge

T: Shipping direction

V: vertical direction

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like features are indicated by like reference numerals and in which: - [Fig. 1] is a schematic diagram of a converter in a folder-gluing machine configuration; - [Fig. 2a] and [Fig. 2b] are schematic perspective views of a folding box and a plan view of a blank, respectively; - [Fig. 3] is a schematic perspective view of an alignment module according to a specific example of the present invention; - [Fig. 4] is a schematic perspective view of the alignment module in Fig. 3 5a] is a detailed plan view of the inlet portion of the alignment module according to a specific example of the present invention; -[Fig. 5b] is a cross-sectional view of the inlet portion of Fig. 5a; and -[Fig. 6] is a cross-sectional view of the inlet portion of Fig. 5b with a blank 2; and -[Fig. 7] is a top view of the feeder module and the alignment module according to a specific example of the present invention.

See the drawings and in particular see Figures 1, 2a and 2b. The folder-gluer 1 is configured to receive the cut-to-shape blank 2 shown in Figure 2b and then fold and glue the blank 2 to form a folding box 2' or other folded and glued packaging container 2'.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the folder-gluing machine 1 of the present invention may include a series of different workstations in the form of modules. From the entrance to the exit and in the transport direction T, the modules may include: a feeder module 10, an alignment module 11, a folding pre-judgment module 12, a gluing module 14 and a folding module 16. The folder-gluing machine 1 may further include a main user interface 15 and a quality control system 18.

The alignment module 11 is arranged downstream of the feeder module 10 in the transport direction T and is configured to align the blank 2 laterally to a predetermined lateral position. The predetermined lateral position is defined by the position of the longitudinal crease line 4 and the position of the folding and auxiliary tools in the converter 1. The alignment module 11 is therefore configured to align the blank 2 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction T.

Auxiliary modules in the form of a tape module 13 and a blank rotation module 17 may be located between the alignment module 11 and the folding pre-judgment module 12. The tape module is configured to apply a tape (i.e., adhesive line) and a protective cover so that the tape can be used when resealing the box after the first use. This tape module is provided by Enpro, such as its "SPA 3.0-Silicone Paper Applicator". The blank rotation module 17 is configured to rotate the blank 2 by 90 degrees before it enters the folding module 16. An example of a blank rotation module is described in EP3038954.

Preferably, the second alignment module 9 is disposed between the blank rotating module 17 and the folding module 16. The blank rotating module 17 and the second alignment module 9 may be separate modules mounted on two separate bases. Alternatively, the blank rotating module 17 and the second alignment module 9 may be a combined module having a single base.

After the gluing module 14 and the folding module 16, a delivery module and a regulating section 21 can be provided to count the shingle flow of folding boxes 2' and separate them into separate batches.

The converter 1 further comprises a conveying system 19, which comprises a conveyor, such as an endless belt and rollers, configured to transport the blank 2 in a transport direction T. The converter 1 also comprises a central control circuit system 20 configured to control the operation of the converter 1.

To achieve folding, the blank 2 is provided with crease lines 4. A first group of crease lines 4a extends in the transport direction T of the blank 2 in the alignment module 11. A first group of crease lines 4a also extends in the transport direction T of the blank 2 in the feeder module 10.

The second group of crease lines 4b is arranged perpendicularly to the first group of crease lines 4a. If a blank rotating module 17 is used, the second group of crease lines 4b extends in the transport direction T of the blank in the folding module 16.

The blank 2 has a longitudinal length La in the transport direction T in the alignment module 11. Similarly, if the blank rotation module 17 is used, the blank 2 has a longitudinal length Lb in the transport direction T in the folding module 16. For the blank 2 with an irregular front edge and an irregular rear edge, the longitudinal lengths La and Lb are the maximum lengths of the blank 2 in the transport direction T.

In the alignment module 11, the blank 2 has a first peripheral lateral edge 6a and a second peripheral lateral edge 6b. The first peripheral lateral edge 6a and the second peripheral lateral edge 6b can be irregular. The peripheral lateral edges 6a, 6b allow the formation of flaps and folding surfaces.

The first peripheral lateral edge 6a has a plurality of segment edges S1, which are positioned at different lateral positions relative to the central longitudinal axis C of the blank 2. The central longitudinal axis C coincides with the transport direction in the alignment module 11. Preferably, the central longitudinal axis C is arranged at the center of the blank 2. Similarly, the second peripheral lateral edge 6b has a plurality of segment edges S2, which are positioned at different lateral positions relative to the central longitudinal axis C of the blank 2. Depending on the type of packaging container 2' and the shape of the blank 2, the number of segment edges S1, S2 may be different. The lateral position is defined as the distance in the lateral direction L, which is defined as a direction perpendicular to the transport direction T of the blank 2 in the alignment module. Therefore, the lateral direction L can also be defined as a direction perpendicular to the transport direction T of the blank 2 in the feeder module 10.

Each peripheral lateral edge 6a, 6b includes a distal segment edge D1, D2 and at least one internal segment edge S1, S2. Compared with the distal segment edges D1, D2, at least one internal segment edge S1, S2 is positioned closer to the central longitudinal axis C of the blank 2. The distal segment edges D1, D2 are located at the lateral ends of the blank 2 in the alignment module 11.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the alignment module 11 preferably includes a first alignment device 30a and a second alignment device 30b. The first alignment device 30a is configured to be close to the left side of the blank 2, and the second alignment device 30b is configured to be close to the right side of the blank 2.

As best seen in FIG. 5a, the alignment device 30a, 30b comprises an upper pressing member 22 having a plurality of pressing rollers 23 arranged in a row, an alignment conveyor 24 and a guide 26.

The alignment module 11 is configured to receive the blank 2 in the gap between the upper pressing member 22 and the alignment conveyor 24. The upper pressing member 22 and the alignment conveyor 24 are arranged at an angle in the transport direction T so as to guide the lateral edges 6a, 6b of the blank 2 against the guide member 26. The guide member 26 is arranged so that its longitudinal extension direction coincides with the transport direction T.

The alignment conveyor 24 includes an endless conveyor belt 25 and is configured to contact and drive the blank 2 forward in the transport direction T. The pressing roller 23 can be idle.

The first alignment device 30a and the second alignment device 30b are not used simultaneously. Instead, they provide the option of selecting which lateral edge 6a, 6b of the blank 2 is aligned against the guide 26.

When one of the alignment devices 30a and 30b is activated, the other is deactivated. In the deactivated alignment devices 30a and 30b, the pressing roller 23 can move upward and away from the blank 2, so that the pressing roller 23 of the deactivated alignment devices 30a and 30b does not contact the blank 2.

As shown in FIG. 5a , the alignment module 11 may include an inlet section I. The inlet section I provides a distance at which the blank 2 is not guided. This can be achieved by configuring at least some of the pressing rollers 23 so that they are arranged at a distance from the alignment conveyor 24. In this way, the pressing member 22 does not catch the blank 2, and the trajectory of the blank 2 in the inlet section I is not modified by the alignment device 30.

The length of the inlet section I can be configured so that the blank 2 will only move laterally when the entire longitudinal length La of the blank 2 is in the alignment module 11. This allows the alignment module 11 to receive the entire longitudinal length La of the blank 2 before moving the blank 2 laterally. This also allows the blank 2 to leave the feeder module 10 before modifying its trajectory.

The alignment side is selected based on the geometry of the peripheral lateral edges 6a, 6b of the blank 2. The operator can manually select the choice between right-side alignment and left-side alignment by detecting the first peripheral lateral edge 6a and the second peripheral lateral edge 6b. Alternatively, the control unit 50 can perform a calculation to determine which peripheral lateral edge 6a, 6b is most suitable for alignment.

Ideally, long and straight distal segment edges D1, D2 are selected as suitable alignment edges. However, some blanks 2, such as the blank shown in FIG. 2b, have irregular peripheral lateral edges 6a, 6b, and the distal segment edges D1, D2 are relatively short in the transport direction T. For irregular peripheral lateral edges 6a, 6b, the alignment module 11 of the present invention also allows alignment against the inner segment edges S1, S2. This is advantageous when there are inner segment edges S1, S2 that are straight (in the transport direction T) and have a significant length in the transport direction T in the alignment module 11. Preferably, the significant length is about 50% of the longitudinal length La.

As best seen in FIGS. 5a and 5b , the guide 26 has an inlet end 32, an outlet end 34, and a longitudinal guide portion 36. The inlet end 32 is inclined downward in the transport direction T. The guide 26 has an upper surface 37 and a lower surface 39. The upper surface 37 and the lower surface 39 preferably have an extension direction that coincides with the horizontal direction H, and the upper surface is vertically arranged above the lower surface in the vertical direction V. In the inlet section I, the upper surface 37 of the guide 26 extends further upstream in the transport direction T than the lower side 39 of the guide 26. In this way, the guide 26 has a downwardly inclined inlet end 32 of the guide 26, which is configured to guide the lateral portion E0 of the blank to below the guide 26.

The inclination angle α may be between 20° and 40°, preferably about 30°, relative to the longitudinal extension of the guide 26. The inlet end 32 thus has a wedge shape and is configured to guide the distal segment edges D1, D2 and the lateral portion E0 of the blank 2 under the guide 26. This allows the front edge of the blank 2 to be partially guided under the guide 26. The inlet end 32 of the guide 26 may be located at a position in the inlet section I where the blank 2 is not guided laterally.

As shown in FIG. 5b , the longitudinal guide portion 36 has an alignment surface 40 configured to abut against the inner segment edges S1, S2 of the blank 2. The alignment surface 40 of the guide 26 may be flat. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5b , the alignment surface 40 may have a groove 41. The groove 41 is configured to receive the selected inner alignment edge S1, S2 of the blank 2.

In the inlet section I, the alignment surface 40 of the guide 26 can be positioned at a lateral distance from the selected inner alignment edges S1, S2. In this way, the guide 26 does not contact the guide edge on the blank 2 until the lateral portion E0 of the blank 2 is positioned below the guide 26.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the alignment module 11 is positioned downstream of the feeder module 10. The feeder module 10 includes a loading surface 42 configured to receive a stack of blanks 2. The loading surface 42 includes a plurality of drive belts 44 configured to contact and drive the lowermost blank 2 in the stack forward in the transport direction T.

The lower conveyor 24 is positioned laterally so that the lateral portion E0 of the blank 2 extends further in the lateral direction and is unsupported. The drive belt 44 at the farthest end and arranged at the selected guide edges S1, S2 of the blank 2 is positioned further outward in the lateral direction compared to the lower conveyor 24 in the alignment module 11.

This provides for the formation of a lateral gap d2 in the transport path. However, the central part of the blank 2 is supported by at least one conveyor 24. The gap d2 thus provides a distance at which the distal lateral segment edges D1, D2 of the blank 2 are unsupported. When the blank exits the feeder module 10, the gap d2 allows the distal lateral segment edges D1, D2 to fall vertically under the influence of gravity. This assists the inclined entry end 32 to guide the distal lateral segment edges D1, D2 under the guide 26.

The upper alignment module may further include a slide 28. The slide 28 is configured to contact and prevent the blank from moving vertically laterally toward the guide 26.

22: Upper pressing member

23: Press the roller

24: Alignment conveyor/lower conveyor

25: Annular conveyor belt

26: Guide piece

32: Entrance end

36: Longitudinal guide part

37: Upper surface

39: Lower surface/lower side

α: Tilt angle

C: Center longitudinal axis

H: Horizontal direction

I: Entrance section/entrance part

V: vertical direction

Claims (7)

An alignment module (11) for a converter (1), the alignment module being configured to correct a lateral position of a blank (2) being transported through the converter in a transport direction (T), the blank comprising a first peripheral lateral edge (6a) and a second peripheral lateral edge (6b), wherein the first peripheral lateral edge and the second peripheral lateral edge are arranged at opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis (C) of the blank and extend in the transport direction, wherein the alignment module comprises at least one alignment device (30a; 30b) having an upper pressing member (22), a lower conveyor (24) and a guide member (26), and wherein The upper pressing member and the lower conveyor are configured to receive and transport the blank in a gap therebetween, and wherein the guide is an elongated rod having a lateral guide surface (40) and extending in the transport direction, characterized in that the guide further has a downwardly inclined inlet end (32), the inlet end being configured to guide a lateral portion (E0) of the blank under the guide while causing the lateral guide surface (40) to contact an inner segment edge (S1, S2) of the blank, the inner segment edge being closer to the central longitudinal axis of the blank than the lateral portion of the blank positioned under the guide. An alignment module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower conveyor (24) is positioned so that the lateral portion (E0) of the blank is not supported by the lower conveyor. An alignment module as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the alignment guide has a groove (41), and wherein the groove is configured to retain the inner segment edge (S1, S2) of the blank. An alignment module as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the alignment module comprises an inlet portion (I), wherein the upper pressing member is arranged at a distance from the lower conveyor, and wherein the downwardly inclined inlet end of the guide member is located in the inlet portion (I). An alignment module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alignment guide can be displaced laterally. As in claim 1, the upper alignment module further comprises a slide, and a connecting axis (AC) of the slide coincides with a connecting axis of the guide rail. A converter (1) comprising an alignment module (11) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the converter further comprises a folding module (16), a blank rotating module (17) configured to rotate the blanks by 90°, and wherein a second alignment module (9) is arranged between the blank rotating module and the folding module.