WO2014185876A2

WO2014185876A2 - Carrier bag machine with an automatic carrier bag opening system enabling easy product filling

Info

Publication number: WO2014185876A2
Application number: PCT/TR2014/000176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Necat Emircan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-17
Filing date: 2014-05-20
Publication date: 2014-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2015-11-17
Also published as: WO2014185876A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a carrier bag preparation machine (110) enabling the products to be easily placed into the carrier bags (51) by means of a vacuuming method, wherein it comprises: a vacuum plate (10) grabbing said carrier bag (51) from one side thereof; a vacuum arm (11) bringing the carrier bag (51) in horizontal position to the vertical position; a cylinder vacuum plate (30) making the carrier bag (51) ready for product filling by vacuuming the carrier bag (51) in vertical position from the other side thereof and driven by a vacuum plate cylinder (31); a gear mechanism (90) providing the upward and downward movement of the vacuum arm (11); a start button (44) actuating the carrier bag preparation machine (110); and a vacuum pump (80), a vacuum tank (81) and a vacuum valve (72) providing the vacuum in the vacuuming operations.

Description

DESCRIPTION

CARRIER BAG MACHINE WITH AN AUTOMATIC CARRIER BAG OPENING SYSTEM

ENABLING EASY PRODUCT FILLING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carrier bag preparation machine enabling the products purchased at locations such as grocery stores, shops, etc. to be easily placed into the carrier bags after being passed through the cash register. The present invention particularly relates to an automatic carrier bag opening system enabling the mouth portion of the carrier bag to be filled with products to be opened by vacuuming thereof on both sides and meanwhile enabling easy product filling by placing the carrier bag inside a chamber.

PRIOR ART

In daily life, people usually purchase in bulk from grocery stores and shopping centers with periodic intervals. This is due to limited time of people and the desire thereof to meet such needs in one or two times without spending much time. Therefore, at locations where shopping is carried out, stampede and difficulties are encountered during placement of the products into the carrier bags after payments at the cash registers is completed. Thus, in most shopping locations, number of cash registers is increased and a second personnel is employed to fill the carrier bags in the cashier section. In addition, since the carrier bags are not completely filled upon haphazard placement of the products thereinto during the intent to rapidly fill said carrier bags, the carrier bag consumption increases in parallel thereto. Within the last couple of years, new products under the name of carrier bag opening and carrier bag providing machines are developed in order to provide a solution to these problems. Patent and utility model applications have been carried out. However, upon examination of videos of some of these prototypes and patent applications of the others, it is seen that said products provide the carrier bags to the customers just by opening the mouth thereof, wherein preventing the wastage of carrier bags seems unlikely since the customers are obliged to manually fill them. On the other hand, even if the carrier bags are given as open, it is obvious that this situation will have an effect on opening duration of a carrier bag, the problem will not be completely eliminated and a second personnel will have to work in the cash registers for filling the carrier bags. The machine is also quite large in terms of the volume thereof. When the cost thereof is considered, the use thereof remains far from being efficient. As a result of search conducted in the literature, various structures relating to said carrier bag preparation machines are encountered. One of them is the utility model application 2012/02517 entitled as "T-shirt type carrier bag providing and opening structure." Following is stated in the abstract of said invention with the classification number B65B 43/00: "The present invention relates to a structure used for practically receiving the carrier bag and opening thereof during the receiving in locations where t-shirt type carrier bags are used. The present invention particularly relates to a structure enabling the t-shirt type carrier bags to be individually taken to an external environment wherein it comprises a holder with an aesthetic base, carrier bags positioned on said holder and a cover disposed on said carrier bags and capable of approaching towards and moving away from said aesthetic base."

Another example of said structures is the utility model application 2011/06541 entitled as "A carrier bag opening robot developed for t-shirt type carrier bags." Following is stated in the abstract of said invention with the classification number B65B 43/00: "The present invention relates to a carrier bag opening robot enabling the t-shirt type carrier bags to be easily and practically opened at locations such as grocery stores, supermarkets, etc."

In the aforementioned applications, carrier bag opening methods enabling the carrier bags to be easily opened in the grocery stores are disclosed. The mechanisms disclosed in said applications open the mouth portion of the carrier bags, however, the customer or personnel should open the carrier bags themselves for filling the products. Consequently, carrier bag preparation machines are improved in parallel to the advancing technology, thus, new structures, which would eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks and offer solutions to the existing systems are needed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a carrier bag preparation machine, which meets the aforementioned requirements, eliminates all the drawbacks and brings additional advantages.

The object of the present invention is to facilitate utilization of the carrier bag preparation machine thanks to the following features thereof: occupying less space in the cash register area, having a height enabling the visibility range not to be blocked and being provided at the height of the conveyor provided with the products thereon in front of the cash register.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate carrier bag filling operation thanks to the chamber designed to be disposed at the lower portion of the carrier bag and maintaining the carrier bag in open position after being opened. Thus, the customer or cashier is enabled to fill the carrier bag without holding it and without having to constantly lift the weight thereof during the filling operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide elimination of the time spent for opening the second carrier bag after a carrier bag is filled. Performing all these operations by means of a single vacuum pump is of great importance in terms of costs of the machine thanks to the mechatronic structure thereof. Since the carrier bags kept open by the machine will enable orderly filling thereof, number of carrier bags will be reduced accordingly. Thus, wastage of carrier bags will be prevented and contribution to the economy will be provided. To achieve the aforementioned objects, a carrier bag preparation machine enabling the products to be easily placed into the carrier bags by means of a vacuuming method is developed, wherein it comprises; a vacuum plate grabbing the carrier bag from one side thereof, a vacuum arm bringing the carrier bag in horizontal position to the vertical position, a cylinder vacuum plate making the carrier bag in vertical position ready for product filling by vacuuming it from the other side thereof and driven by a cylinder of the vacuum plate, a gear mechanism providing the upward and downward movement of the vacuum arm, a start button actuating the carrier bag preparation machine and a vacuum pump, a vacuum tank and a vacuum valve providing the vacuum in the vacuuming operations.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier bag preparation machine comprises: a carrier bag lift to be provided thereon with the carrier bags and driven by said gear mechanism and lift shafts and a lift lower plate enabling said carrier bag lift to remain at a certain height and to move upward.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier bag preparation machine comprises a carrier bag chamber to be provided with the carrier bag having the mouth portion thereof opened and enabling the products to be easily placed into the carrier bag.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier bag preparation machine comprises: chamber rails enabling the chamber to slide downward according to the weight of the carrier bag positioned in said carrier bag chamber and a chamber weight sensor measuring the resulting weight and enabling the vacuuming to be finished according to the desired weight value. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said gear mechanism comprises: vacuum arm directional lever pinion (14) and vacuum arm drive pinion gear disposed on the vacuum arm shaft bedded to the vacuum arm shaft bearing, vacuum arm shaft bearing plate for fixing said vacuum arm bearing, vacuum arm drive cylinder and vacuum arm rack gear driving said vacuum arm, lift directional lever gear and directional lever pinion positioned on the directional lever shaft, lift pinion and lift lever pinion positioned on the lift lever shaft, lift gear brake connected with said lift lever gear and lift rack gear connected with said lift pinion.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier bag preparation machine comprises: cylinder vacuum plate shafts providing the horizontal movement of said cylinder vacuum plate and bedded to the cylinder vacuum shaft bearing and cylinder vacuum plate leaf spring connecting said cylinder vacuum plate with vacuum plate cylinder.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier bag preparation machine comprises: a sliding cover sensor transmitting a signal to the vacuum arm sensor upon detecting that the sliding safety cover positioned on the chassis after the machine is run is closed, a sliding safety cover cylinder providing the horizontal movement of said sliding safety cover, a vacuum arm sensor actuating the vacuum arm drive cylinder rotating the vacuum arm downward when said signal from the sliding cover sensor is received and transmitting a signal to the cylinder vacuum plate sensor actuating the vacuum plate cylinder when vacuum arm touches thereto and a control panel having a communication card comprising said vacuum valve and transmitting said signals. The structural and the characteristic features and all advantages of the present invention will be understood more clearly with the following figures and the detailed description written by referring to said figures. Therefore, the evaluation needs to be done by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a two dimensional side view of the carrier bag preparation machine according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the carrier bag preparation machine according to the present invention with the cover thereof being closed.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carrier bag preparation machine according to the present invention with the cover thereof being opened.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the vacuum plate of the carrier bag preparation machine according to the present invention with the carrier bag lift provided thereon. Figure 5 is a two dimensional rear view of the carrier bag preparation machine according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective front view of the gear mechanism. Figure 7 is a perspective rear view of the gear mechanism.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the lift lever and chamber weight measurement system.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the pneumatic cylinder vacuum plate system.

Figure 10 is another perspective view of the pneumatic cylinder vacuum plate system. Figure 1 1 is a two dimensional view of the carrier bag preparation machine according to the present invention with the vacuum pump and vacuum tank positioned thereon.

Figure 12 is a two dimensional view of the operation of vacuuming and transferring of the carrier bag to the chamber by the vacuum plate (1 1 ).

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the machine of an alternative embodiment of the present invention designed to be appropriate for the use of both the small and large carrier bags.

Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the carrier bag preparation machine according to the present invention as well as the cashier.

REFERENCE NUMBERS 10. Vacuum plate

11. Vacuum arm

12. Vacuum arm shaft

13. Vacuum arm shaft bearing

14. Vacuum arm directional lever pinion 15. Vacuum arm drive cylinder 6. Vacuum arm sensor

17. Vacuum arm shaft bearing plate

18. Vacuum arm drive pinion gear

19. Vacuum arm rack gear 20. Carrier bag chamber

21. Under chamber weight spring

22. Chamber weight sensor 23. Chamber rails

24. No carrier bag sensor

30. Cylinder vacuum plate

31. Vacuum plate cylinder

32. Cylinder vacuum plate shafts

33. Cylinder vacuum plate shaft bearings

34. Cylinder vacuum plate leaf spring

35. Cylinder vacuum plate sensor 40. Upper decorative plate

41. Sliding safety cover

42. Sliding safety cover cylinder

43. Sliding cover sensor

44. Start button

50. Carrier bag lift

51. Carrier bag

52. Lift lower plate

53. Lift rack gear

54. Lift lever gear

55. Lift lever shaft

56. Directional lever shaft

57. Lift pinion

58. Lift shafts

59. Lift gear brake

60. Directional lever pinion

61. Lift lever pinion 70. Control panel

71. Communication card

72. Vacuum valve 80. Vacuum pump 81. Vacuum tank 90. Gear mechanism 100. Chassis

110. Carrier bag preparation machine 20. Large carrier bag portion 130. Small carrier bag portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In this detailed description, preferred embodiments of the carrier bag preparation machine (1 10) according to the present invention are described only for a better understanding of the subject. A carrier bag preparation machine (1 10) enabling the products purchased at locations such as grocery stores, shopping centers, etc. to be easily placed into the carrier bags (51 ) by means of a vacuuming method, wherein vacuum plate (10) grabbing said carrier bag (51 ) from one side thereof brings the carrier bag (51 ) in horizontal position to the vertical position by performing a 90 degree circular motion by means of the vacuum arm (1 1 ) and the other side of the carrier bag (51 ) in vertical position is vacuumed by the cylinder vacuum plate (30) driven by the vacuum plate cylinder (31 ) to be ready for being filled with products.

Figure 1 illustrates a two dimensional side view of the carrier bag preparation machine (1 10) according to the present invention.

All of the components described below are fixed on the chassis (100). A decorative upper plate (40) providing an appealing decorative appearance and hiding the interior components and a sliding safety cover (41 ) covering the carrier bag chamber (20) when the machine (1 10) is not operated are disposed at the upper portion of the chassis (100). Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the closed sliding safety cover (41 ).

The carrier bag preparation machine (1 10) according to the present invention comprises a carrier bag lift (50) to be provided with the carrier bags (51 ) (Figure 1 ). The carrier bags (51 ) remain in horizontal position inside the lift (50). The vacuum plate (10) initially vacuuming the carrier bags is in a vertical position and connected to the vacuum arm (1 1 ). The gear mechanism (90) brings the vacuum arm (1 1 ) to the horizontal position by a 90 degree circular motion. Vacuum arm shaft (12) enabling rotation of the vacuum arm ( 1 ) inside the gear mechanism (90) is bedded to the vacuum arm shaft bearing (13). The vacuum arm shaft bearing (13) is fixed to the vacuum arm shaft bearing plate (17). In Figure 4, the vacuum arm (1 1 ) positioned horizontally on the carrier bag lift (50) can be seen. In Figures 6 and 7, a detailed view of the gear mechanism (90) is illustrated.

The vacuum plate (10) brings the carrier bag (51 ) disposed in the lift (50) to the vertical position by vacuuming it from one side thereof. The carrier bag chamber (20) enables the products to be easily filled into the carrier bag (51 ) brought to the vertical position and the carrier bag (51 ) is positioned inside said chamber (20). Figure 12 illustrates a two dimensional view of the operation of vacuuming and transferring of the carrier bag (51 ) to the chamber (20) by the vacuum plate (1 1 ).

The vacuum arm sensor (16), when the vacuum arm (10) is brought to the vertical position, transmits a signal to the cylinder vacuum plate (30) that will provide vacuuming of the carrier bag (51 ) from the other side thereof. Movement of the cylinder vacuum plate (30) is provided by the vacuum plate cylinder (31 ). In Figure 3, movement of the cylinder vacuum plate (30) can be clearly seen. Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the pneumatic cylinder vacuum plate (30) system.

Weight of the carrier bag (51 ) having the mouth thereof opened with the cylinder vacuum plate (30) and positioned inside the carrier bag chamber (20) will be measured as it is filled with the products. The chamber weight sensor (22) determines this weight by means of the under chamber weight spring (21 ) and enables the vacuuming to be finished. The carrier bag chamber (20) is positioned on the chamber rails (23), wherein the chamber rails (23) enables the chamber (20) to slide downward due to the weight placed thereon. Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the lift lever and chamber weight measurement system. The vacuum pump (80) and vacuum tank (81 ) shown in Figure 1 1 perform the aforementioned vacuuming operations.

The control panel (70) enabling the carrier bag preparation machine (1 10) to operate and comprising the communication card (71 ) enabling communication between the vacuum valve (72) and sensors used in the vacuuming operations can be clearly seen in Figure 5. Preferred operating principle of the carrier bag preparation machine according to the present invention is as follows: First, carrier bags (51 ) are placed into the carrier bag lift (50) by outwardly pulling the carrier bag lift (50) of the machine. Subsequently, the carrier bag lift (50) is pushed back and brought to the same position. Then, start button (44) is pressed. After the start button (44) is pressed, first, machine vacuum pump (80) operates and empties the vacuum tank (81 ). At the same time, electronic communication card (71 ) transmits signal to the sliding cover sensor (43), actuates sliding safety cover cylinder (42) and closes the sliding safety cover (41 ). When the sliding safety cover (41 ) is closed, it contacts the sliding cover sensor (43). After contact, sliding cover sensor (43) transmits signals to the vacuum arm sensor (16) and sensor that will open the vacuum valve (72). The vacuum arm sensor (16), after receiving the signal, actuates the vacuum arm drive cylinder (15) rotating the vacuum arm (1 1 ) downward. Said vacuum arm drive cylinder (15), when actuated, pulls the vacuum arm rack gear (19) downward and rotates the vacuum arm drive pinion gear (18) fixed on the vacuum arm shaft (12). During said rotation, vacuum arm (1 1 ) is moved downward. The vacuum arm shaft (12) also rotates the other vacuum arm directional lever pinion (14) fixed thereon. Since the cam gear disposed on the rotating directional lever pinion (14) is directional, it passes without resistance and interfering with the teeth of the carrier bag lift lever gear (54). The lift gear brake (59) disposed on the other side of the lift lever gear (54) locks the lift lever gear (54) and prevents undesired rotation of the gear. The vacuum arm (1 1 ) advances a distance of 90 degrees by moving downward and vacuum plate (10) contacts the upper portion of the carrier bag (51 ). Descending duration of the vacuum arm (1 1 ) is too short. During the descending of the vacuum arm (1 1 ), the vacuum sensor transmitted with signal by the sliding safety cover cylinder (41 ) enables the vacuum valve (72) to be opened and allows initiation of the vacuuming. The carrier bag (51 ) sticks to the plate (10) thanks to the vacuum. When vacuuming is carried out, signal is again transmitted to the vacuum arm drive cylinder (15) driving the vacuum arm (1 1 ) and vacuum arm rack gear (19) is pushed forward. Vacuum arm drive pinion gear (18) contacting the rack gear (19) in tangential position is rotated and vacuum arm drive pinion gear (18) provided at a fixed position on the vacuum arm shaft (12) again starts to move upward. Also, since the vacuum arm directional lever pinion (14) provided at the same position is fixed, it passes tangential to the lift lever gear (54) when it starts to rotate in the same direction. Meanwhile, the cam gear disposed on the vacuum arm drive pinion gear (18) passes onto the lift lever gear (54) and enables a one tooth rotation thereof. During this operation, the lift gear brake (59), due to the structure thereof, is released from the tooth where it is locked and locks to the next tooth. In this rotation, the movement is transmitted to the directional lever pinion (60). The lift lever shaft (55) associated with the directional lever shaft (56) rotates the lift lever pinion (61 ) in the opposite direction. When the lift lever shaft (55) connected to the lift lever pinion (60) is rotated, the lift pinion (57) positioned on the lift lever shaft (55) is also rotated. The rotating lift pinion (57) moves the lift rack gear (53) one tooth in the upward direction. The lift plate (52) slides upward on the lift shafts (58). Meanwhile, the vacuum arm (1 1 ) advances a distance of 90 degrees and reaches a vertical position. When the vacuum arm (1 1 ) is in the vertical position, it touches the vacuum arm sensor (16) disposed at the rear portion. The vacuum arm sensor (16) transmits a signal to the vacuum plate cylinder (31 ) on the opposite side for opening the vacuum. With the movement of the vacuum plate cylinder (31 ), the vacuum plate (30) advances forward, sticks onto the outer surface of the carrier bag (51 ) and starts vacuuming. When the vacuuming is realized, the vacuum plate cylinder (31 ) retracts the cylinder vacuum plate (30) with the second signal transmitted to the vacuum plate cylinder (31 ). After the retracted cylinder vacuum plate (30) contacts the cylinder vacuum plate sensor (35) disposed at the rear portion thereof, the vacuum plate sensor (35) transmits a signal to the sliding safety cover (42) and opens the sliding safety cover (41 ). After these operations are completed, the carrier bag (51 ) becomes ready to be filled and it gives the impression as if someone is holding the carrier bag (51 ) open for filling thereof since it is vacuumed on both sides thereof. The carrier bag chamber (20) moves downward on the chamber rails (23) due to the weight placed when the carrier bag (51 ) is filled. As a result of this, the under chamber spring (21 ) positioned below the carrier bag chamber (20) contacts the chamber weight sensor (22) positioned in the middle portion of the spring due to the compression thereof. The chamber weight sensor (22) enables the vacuuming to be finished by transmitting the received signal to the cylinder vacuum plate sensor (35) and vacuum arm sensor (16).

These operations are realized when the carrier bag (51 ) reaches the minimum weight being set. Since weight of the carrier bag (51 ) can be set, vacuuming of the vacuum plate (10) and cylinder vacuum plate (30) can also be terminated when the carrier bag (51 ) is filled up to a certain extent. When the filled carrier bag is removed from the chamber (20), the no carrier bag sensor (24) disposed in horizontal position and detecting the interior portion of the carrier bag chamber (20) transmits a signal to the sliding safety cover (43) and the sliding cover sensor (43) closes the sliding safety cover (41 ). Then, the carrier bag preparation operations continue to be repeated. These operations continue at a speed enabling the second carrier bag (51 ) to be immediately ready for use when the first filled carrier bag (51 ) is removed from the carrier bag chamber (20), before leaving it on the ground.

The carrier bag preparation machine (1 10) according to the present invention, apart from the retail sales points where purchases are made such as grocery stores, supermarkets, etc., can also be used in sectors where the products are manually filled, bagging and packaging operations are carried out. Figure 14 is a drawing illustrating the use of the carrier bag preparation machine (1 10) as well as the cashier.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the carrier bag preparation machine (1 10) can be designed so as to comprise a large carrier bag portion (120) and a small carrier bag portion (130) for being used with small carrier bags as well as large carrier bags. A machine configured as such is shown in Figure 13.

Claims

A carrier bag preparation machine (110) enabling products to be easily placed into carrier bags (51) by means of a vacuuming method, characterized in comprising: a vacuum plate (10) grabbing said carrier bag (51) from one side thereof; a vacuum arm (11) bringing the carrier bag (51 ) in horizontal position to the vertical position; a cylinder vacuum plate (30) making the carrier bag (51) ready for product filling by vacuuming the carrier bag (51) in vertical position from the other side thereof and driven by a vacuum plate cylinder (31); a gear mechanism (90) providing the upward and downward movement of the vacuum arm (1 1); a start button (44) actuating the carrier bag preparation machine ( 10); and a vacuum pump (80), a vacuum tank (81 ) and a vacuum valve (72) providing the vacuum in the vacuuming operations.

The carrier bag preparation machine (110) according to Claim 1 , characterized in comprising: a carrier bag lift (50) to be provided thereon with the carrier bags (51) and driven by said gear mechanism (90); and lift shafts (58) and a lift lower plate (52) enabling said carrier bag lift (50) to remain at a certain height and to move upward.

The carrier bag preparation machine (110) according to Claim 1 , characterized in comprising: a carrier bag chamber (20) to be provided with the carrier bag (51) having the mouth portion thereof opened and enabling the products to be easily placed into the carrier bag (51).

The carrier bag preparation machine (110) according to Claim 3, characterized in comprising: chamber rails (23) enabling the chamber to slide downward according to the weight of the carrier bag (51) positioned in said carrier bag chamber (20); and a chamber weight sensor (22) measuring the resulting weight and enabling the vacuuming to be finished according to the desired weight value.

The carrier bag preparation machine (110) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said gear mechanism (90) comprises: vacuum arm directional lever pinion (14) and vacuum arm drive pinion gear (18) disposed on the vacuum arm shaft (12) bedded to the vacuum arm shaft bearing (13); vacuum arm shaft bearing plate (17) for fixing said vacuum arm bearing (13); vacuum arm drive cylinder (15) and vacuum arm rack gear (19) driving said vacuum arm (11); lift directional lever gear (54) and directional lever pinion (60) positioned on the directional lever shaft (56); lift pinion (57) and lift lever pinion (61) positioned on the lift lever shaft (55); lift gear brake (59) connected with said lift lever gear (54); and lift rack gear (53) connected with said lift pinion (57).

The carrier bag preparation machine (1 10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in comprising: cylinder vacuum plate shafts (32) providing the horizontal movement of said cylinder vacuum plate (30) and bedded to the cylinder vacuum shaft bearing (33); and cylinder vacuum plate leaf spring (34) connecting said cylinder vacuum plate (30) with vacuum plate cylinder (31).

The carrier bag preparation machine (110) according to Claim 1 , characterized in comprising:

- a sliding cover sensor (43) transmitting a signal to the vacuum arm sensor (16) upon detecting that the sliding safety cover (41) positioned on the chassis (100) is closed, after the machine is run;

- a sliding safety cover cylinder (42) providing the horizontal movement of said sliding safety cover (41);

- a vacuum arm sensor (16) actuating the vacuum arm drive cylinder ( 5) rotating the vacuum arm (11) downward when said signal from the sliding cover sensor (43) is received and transmitting a signal to the cylinder vacuum plate sensor (35) actuating the vacuum plate cylinder (31) when vacuum arm (1 1 ) touches thereto; and

- a control panel (70) comprising a communication card (71) transmitting said signals and comprising said vacuum valve (72).