WO2018167343A1 - Device and method for the transport of flexible sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for transporting flexible sheets (2), which combines movable support means (3) on which a sheet can be applied and which are designed to move the sheet in a direction of movement, and suction means (5) for keeping the sheet applied against the support means, wherein the support means are configured such that a sheet applied against same adopts a shape curved in a plane transverse to the direction of movement. The method for transporting flexible sheets (2) in a direction of movement comprises curving the sheets in a plane transverse to the direction of movement.

Description

 D E S C R I P C I O N

"Device and method for transporting flexible sheets" Technical sector of the invention

 The device and method for the transport of flexible sheets of the present invention are those that allow the transport of flexible sheets of those used in the graphic arts sector or packaging industry, between different handling stations.

Background of the invention

 In the graphic arts or packaging industry sector it is usual to have to transport flexible sheets, for example between a feeding station and a printing station or between a rotary roaster and a stacking station. The rotary burner formats materials initially wound in a coil and, therefore, flexible, in the longitudinal direction, so that, after the sheets are cut transversely, they must be transported to be subsequently stacked or handled. These flexible sheets are made of materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic or the like, and particularly of single-sided corrugated cardboard, consisting of two papers, one plain or "Hnet" and one corrugated or "fluting."

It is important that the transport takes place in a controlled manner so that the position of the sheets is well in the stacking station or other handling stations, such as a printing station, and that they do not roll on each other during transport by the lack of stiffness in its longitudinal direction which at the same time is the direction of transport, instead of staying flat. Devices for transporting sheets are known as described in patent document EP0363662. This document presents a device provided with a set of drag rollers combined with an air extractor for transporting sufficiently rigid elements, such as double-sided or double / double corrugated cardboard sheets, suspended. However, when the elements to be transported are not rigid enough, such as when these elements are flexible sheets, the device described in this document does not allow the transport of these flexible sheets at high speeds, since the air currents generated during the Transport of each flexible sheet can separate the sheet from the device, initially bending its front edge and finally separating the sheet from the device, causing the sheet to exit the longitudinal direction of transport and be arranged obstructing the passage of other sheets. This situation requires that an operator has to intervene to remove the sheet that hinders the passage, being necessary to stop the transport device, with the corresponding loss of time.

A solution to this problem would be to increase the force exerted by the air extractor so as to ensure that the sheets were more glued to the drag rollers. However, since the sheets are flexible, there would be a risk of damaging them during transport due to the action of the rollers on the sheet, in addition that the sheets would be slowed by rubbing against the plate through which the rollers protrude. It is therefore an objective of the present invention to disclose a device for transporting flexible sheets that allows transporting flexible sheets at higher speeds without damaging them.

Explanation of the invention.

 The device for transporting flexible sheets of the present invention is one that combines mobile support means on which a sheet can be applied and which are adapted to move the sheet in a direction of travel, preferably straight and preferably horizontal; and suction means to keep the sheet applied against the support means.

In essence the device is characterized in that the support means are configured so that a sheet applied against the support means adopts a combo shape in a plane transverse to the direction of travel, which it can be for example ribbed or in the form of a tile. Naturally, the combated shape can be both convex and concave, as well as be undulated, presenting convex sections and concave sections, advantageously allowing the sheet to move while maintaining the combated shape thereby increasing the bending resistance of its front part and supporting greater accelerations and speeds. without separating from the device and without being damaged.

In a variant embodiment, the combated shape has a curve whose ratio between the rope and the sagite is less than 100, that is, 100 sagites fit or less in the rope, so that the variation of the curve's trajectory is sufficiently high such that the sheet is sufficiently warped so that a bending resistance is achieved in the transport direction. In another variant embodiment, the combated shape has a curve whose ratio between the rope and the sagite is greater than 10, that is, 10 sagittes or more fit in the rope, so that the variation in the trajectory of the curve is sufficiently low so that the sheet can be sufficiently combined but not damaged.

Preferably, it is envisaged that the combated shape has a curve whose relationship between the rope and the sagite is less than 100 and greater than 10, that is, they fit between 10 and 100 sagites in the rope, so that it gives good resistance to the blades. to bend in the longitudinal direction of transport without damaging them.

In a variant of interest, the curved shape has a curve whose sagite is larger than 20 millimeters, said shape being suitable for the transport of flexible sheets of cardboard in a curved or corrugated shape.

In a variant of interest, the mobile support means comprise drive axes parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction of sheet travel and which follow a curved path in the plane transverse to the direction of sheet travel, said axes being provided with wheels. Said wheels determine a transport surface of the sheets through which the sheets can be transported when pushed by the wheels. Each drive axle can be independently driven by a motor, thus controlling the rotation speed of each axle so that the blades can be accelerated and braked by gradually increasing or decreasing the rotation speed of consecutive axes as appropriate. This speed control can be controlled by a computer through which instructions are sent to the different motors that drive the shafts, as well as other means of support, such as a conveyor belt.

According to a variant embodiment, the curved path that follows each driving axis in its transverse plane to the direction of travel of the sheets is equal to the curve of the transport surface in that same transverse plane. In a variant embodiment, the drive axles comprise straight sections whose ends are connected to a turn transmission parts coupled to both sides of the same wheel, thus allowing rotation to all the wheels of an axle, thus allowing the rotation to be transmitted to all wheels of the same axle.

In a variant of interest, the wheels are provided with lateral recesses for the coupling of the turning transmission parts that allow the turn of the section to be transmitted to the wheel and the wheel transmits the rotation to the next section through its piece of transmission.

In a variant embodiment, the profile of the turning transmission parts and the wheel recesses is complementary, the complementary profile being a complementary gearwheel profile in a variant of interest. It is also known that in a variant embodiment the wheels are of a more flexible material than the turn transmission parts, thus allowing consecutive straight sections to vary the axis trajectory by slightly deforming the turning transmission parts. Incoming wheels. To achieve this effect, in a variant of interest the wheels are expected to be made of polyurethane or any other flexible material.

In a variant embodiment, the device further comprises means for expelling defective sheets arranged between the axes, so that when said means of ejection are operated by an operator, push a defective sheet to remove it from the device. It should be noted that when the sheet is slightly separated from the device, it will detach, allowing it to fall into a rejection container arranged under the means of expulsion. These means of ejection means will preferably be retractable, that is, they can be hidden inside the device and can comprise a pneumatic piston which, when actuated, allows the sheet to be pushed out of the device quickly and the ejection means removed, thus removing only the defective sheet and avoiding that the rest of the plates, that would not present defects, are expelled.

In another variant embodiment, the support means in the direction of travel comprise a conveyor belt, which allows a better control of the sheets, especially for braking and positioning with precision. It is also known that the device may comprise an acceleration section in which the mobile support means comprise drive axes parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction of sheet travel and that follow a curved path in the plane transverse to the direction of displacement of the sheets, said axles being provided with wheels, and a final section in which the support means comprise a conveyor belt, thus allowing that in the acceleration section the sheets can increase and decrease their speed as the different drive axles keeping the sheets attached to the device and that in the final section the sheets can be better controlled, held more firmly and even released by deactivating in this final section the suction means, for example for stacking.

Even when the device described above comprises an acceleration section in which the mobile support means comprise drive axles parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction of travel of sheets, said axles being provided with wheels, and a final section in which the support means comprise a conveyor belt, sufficient transport of the sheets could be achieved even if they were not combatants, that is, they will be transported flat, although in this case they would not support speeds and accelerations as high as when transported combatants. Of course, the devices described above could also be considered in which the mobile support means on which a sheet can be applied and which are adapted to move the sheet in a direction of travel, were configured so that a sheet applied against the means of support it would adopt a flat shape in a plane transverse to the direction of travel, although speeds and accelerations would not be supported as high as when transporting combatants. The device of the present invention therefore allows to carry out a method for transporting flexible sheets comprising applying a flexible sheet against mobile support means that are adapted to move the sheet in a direction of travel; and keeping the sheet against the support means by means of suction means, so that the flexible sheet adopts a combo shape in a plane transverse to the direction of travel, that is, the process for transporting flexible sheets comprises combining the sheets in a plane transverse to the direction of travel, thus conferring greater resistance to bending the sheets on their front during transport and allowing the sheets to be transported at higher speeds and accelerations.

Brief description of the drawings

 To complement the description that is being made and in order to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Fig. 1a shows a bottom view of an embodiment variant of the device of the present invention; Fig. lb presents a sectional view in a transverse plane of the device of Fig. 1a;

Fig. 2 shows a diagram of the section in a transverse plane of the device;

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view in a transverse plane of another variant embodiment of the device of the present invention and a detail of the sectional view;

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the wheels of the device of Figs. 3a and 3b in correlative lace position;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the wheels of Figs. 3a and 3b in correlative lace position;

Fig. 6a presents a bottom view of another variant embodiment of the device of the present invention;

Fig. 6b presents a sectional view in a transverse plane of the device of Fig. 6a;

Fig. 6c shows a side view of the device of Fig. 6a;

Fig. 7 shows a system incorporating the device of the present invention between a rotary burner and a stacking station;

Figs. 8a, 8b and 8c show the curvature of the sheets of the device of Fig. 7 in different sections;

Fig. 9 shows another system incorporating the device of the present invention between a stacking station and a printing station; Y

Fig. 10 shows another system incorporating the device of the present invention between a stacking station and a battery distribution station.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figs. 1 a and 1 b presents a bottom and sectional view of a first embodiment variant of the device 1 for the transport of flexible sheets 2 of the present invention which has mobile support means 3 on which a sheet 2 can be applied and which they are adapted to move the sheet in a direction of travel, to transport a sheet 2 or a succession of sheets 2 between different stations. As illustrated and as will be seen below, the sheets 2 will preferably be transported suspended or hung from the device 1, that is, arranged between the device 1 and the floor, allowing an operator to better visualize the transport of sheets from the ground.

As can be seen, the mobile support means 3 are wheels 8 arranged on axles 7 that allow pushing the sheets 2 during transport. Between the axes 7 and the plates 2 a plate 19 is arranged, so that the wheels 8 pass through the plate 19 through windows 20 conveniently practiced in the plate 19 which allow the wheels 18 to protrude and push the plates 2 into the direction of transport, as illustrated in Fig. 1. It is envisaged that the same plate 19 has perforations 21 through which air can be drawn, so that suction means 5, which may be formed by one or more extractors 22, allow the sheets 2 to be applied against the support means 3, that is, against the wheels 8. The plate 19 also has ejection means 25 of defective sheets 2, which when driven, preferably by means of a piston pneumatic which would be activated, for example, when an operator detected a defective sheet 2, protrude from the plate 18 causing the sheet 2 to be removed from the device 1. As can be seen, the The mobile supports 3 comprise drive axles 7 parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction of travel of sheets 2 and which follow a curved path in the plane transverse to the direction of travel of the sheets 2, said axes being provided with wheels 8 which determine the sheet transport surface 4. It is envisioned that each axis 7 is driven by an independent motor and can rotate at a different speed, so that the transport speed of the plates 2 can be varied, accelerating or braking the plates 2 so that they can move at a greater or lesser speed. and separating or joining together without the increase in speed causing the sheets 2 to separate from the device 1 and block the passage of other sheets 2. In this way, it is also possible to separate the sheets 2 sufficiently between handling stations of the sheets 2 in which the plates 2 have to arrive distanced for their correct processing.

As can be seen, the path that runs each motor shaft 7 in its plane transverse to the direction of travel of the sheets 2 is equal to the curve 6 of the transport surface in that same transverse plane, so that all wheels 8 of the same axis 7, which will have the same radius, are achieved, rotate at the same angular velocity and will propel the blade 2 at the same speed along the entire axis 7 conferring the curved shape 6 to the blade 2.

Advantageously, the mobile support means 3 are configured so that the sheets 2 applied against the support means 3 adopt a combed or grooved shape in a plane transverse to the direction of travel, that is, they adopt a tile shape that confers the sheets 2 greater resistance to bending at the front when they are transported at high speeds between different stations, without damaging them. The sheets 2 will preferably maintain an essentially straight shape in a plane longitudinal to the direction of travel, so that they do not offer resistance to their transport.

Therefore, it can be considered that the support means 3 determine a surface 4 for the transport of sheets 2 which in turn has a combed or grooved shape, determining the section of this transport surface 4 in a plane transverse to the direction of Displacement of the sheets 2 a curve 6, which can be both convex and concave and even a combination between convex and concave portions that form a corrugation. Naturally, as a sheet 2 is arranged on the transport surface 4 as a result of the suction means 5, it will take the same shape as the surface 4.

It is envisioned that the support means 3 may be discrete, such as the wheel assembly 8 presented in Figs. 1a and 1b whose ends would determine the transport surface 4, as continuous, as a conveyor belt 12 that allows the passage of air through it and that would determine the transport surface 4, such as a perforated belt or a net or mesh, for example a metal mesh, as will be described later. As can also be seen in Figs. 1a and 1 b, the perforations 21 in the plate 19 are distributed between the wheels 8 of the support means 3, thus ensuring that the force exerted by the suction means 5 is well distributed along the axis 7.

As can be seen in Fig. 1 b, in order to ensure that the sheets adopt the warped shape, the support means 3 are arranged such that the transport surface 4 determines a curve 6 which will be the shape that the sheets 2 will adopt. during transport In order to ensure that the sheets 2 have sufficient resistance to bending frontally during transport, it is envisaged that the curved shape they adopt presents a curve 6 whose relationship between the rope c and the sagite s is less than 100, that is, the distance of the rope c be 100 times or less the distance of the sagita s, in other words, that 100 sagitas fit or less in the rope. As can be seen, this same curved shape 6 will be presented by both the support means 3, for example the axes 7 will follow the same curve 6, as the plate 19. Although the sheets 2 are expected to be flexible, it is convenient that the sheets 2 do not take a too tight form as they could be damaged. In order to avoid damage, especially when the sheets 2 are made of cardboard, it is convenient that the curved shape has a curve 6 whose relationship between the string c and the sagite s is greater than 10, that is, the distance of the string c is 10 times or more the distance of the sagita s, in other words, that fit 10 sagitas or more in the rope. Usually, the curved shape is provided to have a curve 6 whose sagite s is larger than 20 millimeters, so that the device 1 is especially suitable for transporting flexible sheets 2 of standard size.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a device 1 according to the present invention together with a detail of the device 1 in which it can be seen how the mobile support means 3 and the suction means 5 are combined. As can be seen Observe, the drive shafts 7 are mounted through supports 23 of the plate 19 and comprise straight sections 9 whose ends are connected to rotating transmission parts 10 coupled to both sides of the same wheel 8, the wheels 8 being provided with recesses 11 sides for the coupling of the turning transmission parts 10, so that the axis 7 is curved. This curvature of axis 7 is achieved by slightly deforming the pressure transmission parts 10 the wheels 8, which are expected to be more flexible than the rotation transmission parts 10, such as polyurethane. The turning transmission parts 10 of the wheels are expected to be of a more rigid material, such as polyethylene, polyoxymethylene, other plastics or even of a metallic material or also of any other material more rigid than the material of the recesses 11 of the wheels 8. It is envisaged that the deformation exerted by the rotating transmission parts 10 to the wheels 8 will allow to rotate straight straight sections 9 of approximately 0.5 degrees, so that the rotation of the straight sections 9 is correctly transmitted to the wheels 8. It is also provided that the turn transmission parts 10 can fit into the lateral recesses 11 of the wheels 8 so that the turn transmission parts 10 can move axially inside each recess 11, alternately inward and outward direction of the wheel 8, during the rotation of the axis 7. Naturally, it is anticipated that not all the wheel 8 is of this flexible material, but that it could be sufficient if only e the area of the recesses 11 outside this flexible material.

It is envisioned that the suction means 5 incorporate an extractor 22 that exerts a suction effect through the perforations 21 of the plate 19 that allow the sheet 2 to be held against the support means 3. Naturally, it is also provided that the means of suction 5 are formed by different extractors, so that the suction can be controlled in different sections of the device 1, allowing for example to release the sheet 2 at the end of its transport. It is envisaged that when the support means 3 are provided with wheels 8, and the plate 19 is provided with windows 20 through which the wheels 8 pass, it is possible that the plate 19 does not need perforations 21 if the suction exerted by the Suction means 5 through the windows 20 were sufficient.

In the manner illustrated above, it is achieved that the sheets 2 can be transported suspended, the support means 3 being mobile, such as wheels 8, which when turning allow the sheets 2 to move along a transport surface 4, which when adopting a curved or tile shape, advantageously allowing flexible sheets 2 to be moved at speeds greater than if sheets 2 were flat preventing them from separating from device 1. Fig. 4 presents a detailed view of the section of the wheels 8 of the device 1 of Fig. 3 in correlative position of engagement with straight segments 9 of the axis 7. As can be seen, the ends of the straight sections 9 are provided with a threaded pin 14 that will pass through a hole 15 in each turn transmission piece 10 in which a nut 13 is secured, so that the straight section 9 is firmly attached to the turn transmission piece 10, thus achieving that when turning the axis 7, each straight section 9 rotates the turning transmission parts 10 attached to their ends. The turn transmission parts 10 are adapted to fit and be engaged in the lateral recesses 11 arranged on both sides of the same wheel 8, so that a straight section 9 that is driven by a motor transmits the turn to the rest of the straight sections 9 through the respective wheels 8. As described above, it is envisaged that the material around the lateral recesses 11 is flexible and allows successive straight sections 9 to be slightly inclined to each other when this material is ceded around the recesses lateral, but allowing the rotation to be transmitted correctly to both the wheel 8 and the next straight section 9 of the axis 7. Naturally it is envisioned that the fastening of the straight sections 9 to the turn transmission parts 10 can be carried out in other alternative ways that ensure the fixing of the straight sections 9 to the turning transmission parts 10, such as a grooved shaft, a conical shaft or even an integral shaft during the molding process of the turning transmission part 10, among others. As can be best seen in the perspective view presented in Fig.

5, the profile of the turn transmission parts 10 and the recesses 1 1 of the wheels 8 is complementary, so that the rotation of the straight sections 9 can be transmitted to the wheel 8 and this can be transmitted to the next straight section 9 a through the turning transmission parts 10. An especially advantageous shape of the profile of the turning transmission parts 10 and the recesses 1 1 of the wheels 8 is a complementary sprocket profile, as illustrated in Fig. 5 and was also presented in the previous Figures 3 and 4, although it was not evident from the sectional views presented. However, other complementary profiles that allow the turn to be transmitted correctly could be use, such as geometric shapes or other irregular shapes that allow the fit between the turning transmission parts 10 and the recesses 1 1 of the wheels 8 and the transmission of the shaft turning 7. It is also noted that the profiles of the recesses 11 of the wheels 8 represented are equal and cogwheel on both sides, whereby the same turning transmission parts 10 are achieved, one of the recesses 1 1 being rotated with respect to the other.

FIG. 6a shows another embodiment of the device 1 in which the support means 3 comprise a conveyor belt 12, such as a conveyor belt that allows the passage of air, so that the suction means 5 allows the sheet to remain applied against the conveyor belt 12 and can be moved on the transport surface 4, which in this case coincides with the conveyor belt 12. Unlike the previous variants in which the support means 3 were formed by different axes 7 that could rotate at a different speed, in the variant shown in Fig. 6a the conveyor belt 12 will advance at the same speed, it being not possible to accelerate sheets to separate them from each other by a single device 1. An option to solve this inconvenience would be to arrange different devices 1 in series, so that the conveyor belt 12 of each device 1 has a speed greater or less than the previous one, as want to accelerate or brake the blades 2. Naturally, it is also provided that the conveyor belt 12 is formed by different longitudinal belts, for example 10 longitudinal belts of 40 mm each, provided with flexible, homokinetic couplings, between them, so that they the combated form and the drag of all of them can be done by a single engine.

Naturally, the sectional view of the variant of Fig. 6a in which the support means 3 comprise a conveyor belt 12 will also have the curved section that allows the sheets 2 to be transported in a tile shape, so as to allow reach higher speeds without damaging the sheets 2, in the same way as described above, the suction means 5 being adapted to exert a suction force that holds the sheet 2 against the conveyor belt 12. As illustrated in Fig. 6c, the conveyor belt 12, which can be a belt or any other transport surface that allows the passage of air, such as a mesh or a fence, can be driven by a single motor. Naturally, it is envisaged that the support means 3 may have different sections, that is, that some sections the support means 3 are formed by axles 7 provided with wheels 8, so that the speed of each axis 7 can be controlled in a manner independent to separate or join consecutive sheets 2, for example in an acceleration section T1 and other sections are formed by conveyor belt 12, so that although the speed of the conveyor belt 12 is the same, a single motor can be used to drive the tape, for example in a final section T2 as illustrated below.

Fig. 7 shows a system formed by a device 1 of the present invention for transporting sheets 2 between a rotary burner 16 and a stacking station 17. The rotary burner 16 is adapted to format materials initially wound in a reel and therefore , flexible in the longitudinal direction by cutting sheets 2 from the material previously wound in the coil in its transverse direction.

The rotary burner 16 provides one by one the flexible sheets 2 to the device 1, which although initially may be flat on the support means 3, as indicated in section A illustrated in Fig. 8a, progressively the support means 3 will be curving the flexible sheet 2, reaching a curvature as indicated in section B illustrated in Fig. 8b. until it adopts the curved shape of tile indicated in section C and illustrated in Fig. 8c. This controlled form will allow its high-speed transport as described above, to, before reaching the stacking station 17 in which it must be presented flat, return the sheet 2 from its curved transport position to the flat, adapted final position for storage in the stacking station 17. The system presented in Fig. 7 uses a rotary burner 16 and a stacking station 17 of those known in the state of the art that provide and require straight sheets 2, so it is necessary this transition between the flat and curved position of transport of the sheets 2. However, if The rotary burner 16 will already provide the curved sheets 2, similar to section C, the device 1 could directly pick up and transport the curved sheets 2 without having to bend it progressively. The same would happen with the stacked station 17 if, for example, the sheets 2 took the flat form simply by separating from the device 1. Advantageously, by adopting the sheets 2 the combo tile form, they not only avoid separating from the device 1 during transport , but also prevent the sheets, which are obtained from an initially rolled material, have a tendency to rewind. As can be seen in Fig. 7, the device 1 has an acceleration section T1 in which the support means 3 will be formed by axles 7 provided with wheels 8, so that the speed of each axis 7 can be controlled in a manner independent to separate or join consecutive sheets 2, and a final section T2 formed by conveyor belt 12, so that, although the speed of the conveyor belt 12 is the same, a single motor can be used to drive the belt. Naturally, the support means 3 could also be formed entirely by axles 7 provided with wheels 8 or by one or more conveyor belts 12, as well as different combinations of sections. As illustrated, the sheets 2 are preferably transported suspended or hung from the device 1, that is, arranged between the device 1 and the ground, allowing not only an operator to better visualize the transport of sheets from the ground, but also allowing transport sheets 2 such as single-sided corrugated cardboard with the open wave facing up, thus achieving its stacking with the open wave facing up, as they should preferably be provided to the end customer.

Fig. 9 shows another system formed by a device 1 of the present invention for transporting sheets 2 between a stacking station 17, in which a set of flexible sheets 2 and a printing station 18 are stacked in which the device 1 must transfer the sheets 2. As can be seen, the stacking station 17 will provide one by one the flexible sheets 2 to the device, which although initially may be flat on the support means 3, as indicated in section A illustrated above in Fig. 8a, progressively the support means 3 will bend the flexible sheet 2, to present a curvature as indicated in section B illustrated above in Fig. 8b. until it adopts the curved shape of tile indicated in section C and illustrated above in Fig. 8c, which will allow its high-speed transport as described above, for, before arriving at the printing station 18 in which it must be presented flat, return the sheet from its curved transport position to the flat final position, adapted for insertion into the printing station. The system presented in Fig. 7 uses a stacking station 17 and a printing station 18 of those known in the state of the art that provide and require straight sheets 2, so that this transition between the flat and curved position is necessary Of transport. However, if the feeding station already provided the curved sheets 2, similar to section C, the device 1 could directly pick up and transport the curved sheets 2 without having to bend it progressively. The same would happen with print station 18 if it accepted 2 folded sheets. In this way, sheets 2 can be transported by applying a flexible sheet 2 against the mobile support means 3 adapted to move the sheet 2 in a direction of travel and keep the sheet 2 against the support means 3 by means of suction means 5 , so that the flexible sheet adopts the combed shape in a plane transverse to the direction of travel. Naturally, it is envisioned that the device 1 of the present invention can be used to transport sheets 2 among many other types of stations, such as counter-bonding stations, among others.

Fig. 10 again shows the device 1 of the present invention, now between a stacking station 17 and a battery distribution station 24, allowing the sheets 2 of the stacking station 17 to be transported in the manner described above but now releasing the sheets 2 after overcoming an acceleration section T1 and upon reaching a final section T2, grouping the sheets two by two or even in larger groups in order to redistribute the plates 2 that were initially stacked in the stacking station 17 in different stacks at the battery distribution station 24, so that the size of each battery is smaller and the sheets can then move more easily. Thus, for example as illustrated in Fig. 10, the device 1 will wait for three sheets 2 to reach the final section T2 of the device 1 and then deactivating the suction means 5 of the final section T2 and / or pushing means, such as protrusions protruding from the transport surface 4, to separate the sheets 2 from the transport surface 4, allowing the plates 2 to be activated. they are each stacked in a battery of the battery distribution station 24. Naturally, the device would also allow transport between a rotary rower 16 and a battery distribution station 24, in a similar manner.

Although in the previously shown variants of the device 1 the flexible sheets 2 are transported suspended, the support means 3 being above the sheets 2, it is also provided that in other variants of embodiment the flexible sheets 2 are above the means of support 3, for example when the device is mounted directly on the ground. Advantageously, when flexible sheets 2 are transported suspended, their observation is facilitated by an operator, so that defective sheets 2 can be visually detected. These defective sheets 2 could be removed from the device 1 by actuation by the operator of sheet ejection means 25, such as a pneumatic piston protruding from the support means 3, so that the defective sheet 2 could be released from the device 1 and fall into a rejection vessel arranged below the pneumatic piston. Also if it was not necessary for the speed or acceleration of the sheets 2 to be high, one could even contemplate devices similar to those previously represented in which the sheets 2 were transported flat, that is, that the support means determined a transport plane flat and were configured so that a sheet applied against the support means would adopt a flat shape with respect to a plane transverse to the direction of travel.

Claims

1. - Device (1) for transporting flexible sheets (2) that combines: mobile support means (3) on which a sheet can be applied and which are adapted to move the sheet in a direction of travel; and - suction means (5) for maintaining the sheet applied against the support means, characterized in that the support means are configured so that a sheet applied against the support means adopts a combo shape in a plane transverse to the direction of displacement. 2. - Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the combed shape has a curve whose relationship between the rope (c) and the sagitta (s) is less than 100. 3. - Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combed shape has a curve whose relationship between the rope (c) and the sagite (s) is greater than 10. 4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combed shape has a curve whose sagitta (s) is greater than 20 millimeters. 5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile support means (3) comprise drive axles (7) parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction of sheet travel and which follow a curved path in the plane transverse to the direction of travel of the sheets, said axles being provided with wheels (8). 6. - Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the curved path that follows each driving axis (7) in its plane transverse to the direction of travel of the sheets is equal to the curve (6) of the transport surface in that same transversal plane. 7. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the drive shafts (7) comprise straight sections (9) whose ends are connected to rotating transmission parts (10) coupled to both sides of the same wheel (8). 8. - Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wheels (8) are provided with lateral recesses (1 1) for the coupling of the turning transmission parts (10). 9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the profile of the turning transmission parts (10) and the recesses (1 1) of the wheels (8) is complementary. 10. - Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the profile of the turning transmission parts (10) and the recesses (1 1) of the wheels (8) is a complementary gearwheel profile. 1 1. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the wheels (8) are of a more flexible material than the turning transmission parts (10). 12. - Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wheels (8) are made of polyurethane. 13. Device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises ejection means (25) of sheets (2) arranged between the shafts (7). 14. - Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ejection means (25) comprise a pneumatic piston. 15. - Device (1) according to any one of the claims above, characterized in that the support means (3) in the direction of travel comprise a conveyor belt (12). 16. - Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an acceleration section (T1) in which the mobile support means (3) comprise driving axles (7) parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction of displacement of sheets (2) and that follow a curved path in the plane transverse to the direction of travel of the sheets, said axes being provided with wheels (8) and a final section (T2) in which the support means comprise a conveyor belt (12) 17. - Procedure for transporting flexible sheets (2) in a direction of travel, characterized in that it comprises combining the sheets in a plane transverse to the direction of travel.