EP0156747A1 - Method and apparatus for cutting square or rectangular windows out of mats for making picture frames - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of and an apparatus for the cutting of rectangular windows on mats provides a pair of blades on respective tracks which are simultaneously displaced to cut a pair of mutually perpendicular cuts in a blank positioned on a worktable. The blade carriages are actuated by pneumatic cylinders and in turn carry pneumatic cylinders for raising and lowering the blades. The margins of the mat are defined by adjustable bars whose perpendicular distances from a reference point, represented by the junction of the paths of the cuts, can be set.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for cutting square or rectangular windows in frames intended for artistic framing. It also relates to a mechanized device specially designed for the implementation of this cutting process.

Framing prints, watercolors, photographs, etc ... usually requires, before putting under glass and fixing in the frame molding, the interposition of a plate called "passe-partout", made in most cases in thin cardboard, and constituting a kind of cover. In this cardboard plate, which may or may not be colored, grained, plain, clothed or not, a window of square or rectangular shape is made revealing the subject and surrounding it with a decorative margin of more or less wide presentation. Figure 1 of the accompanying schematic drawing shows such a cardboard plate (1), the central window of which is indicated in (2).

The cutting of the window (2) is done until now using a device making only one cut at each operation. This device, the principle of which is recalled in FIG. 1, has a blade holder sliding manually on a rail, for the displacement of a single blade (3). The apparatus further includes a presser, an adjustable stop rule (4) for changing the margin width, and blade displacement stops (3).

This known device lends itself little to the implementation of large series. In fact, initially, after adjusting the first margin (ml) and the displacement length (ab) corresponding to the longitudinal direction, the operator presents the cardboard blank (1) in support by its long side ( AB) against the stop rule (4), then immobilizes the blank using the presser. It then performs a first cutting line (ab) then, after release of the presser, it turns over the blank (1) so as to present the opposite side (CD) against the stop rule (4). After another pressing, the operator makes a second cutting line (cd) parallel to the first line (ab).

Then the blank (1) is released again, and stored in the _semi -worked state of two parallel cuts (ab and cd), with all the other blanks of the same series which must be cut to the same dimensions.

After possible adjustment of the other margin (m2) and a stroke u <_" different blade corresponding to the width (ad) of the window (2), same process is repeated to make two parallel cutting lines (ad then cb). The cardboard quadrilateral (abcd) delimited by the four cutting lines 'realized can then be removed, thereby clearing the window (2).

Currently, the total cutting of the window therefore requires two manual phases, with two generally distinct adjustments and for each of the phases a reversal of the cardboard blank (1). To these operations are added the manipulations necessary for the storage and destocking of semi-finished products, between the two manufacturing phases.

The invention aims to eliminate these drawbacks by providing a mechanized cutting process and apparatus requiring only one adjustment, one pass on the machine and one turnaround to obtain a finished "master key" from a blank of solid cardboard, this without intermediate storage or manipulation, and with the possibility of making square or rectangular windows, therefore a universal process and apparatus which simplify and accelerate the cutting of windows, making it more rational and more economical especially for the implementation of large series.

To this end, the method according to the invention for cutting square or rectangular windows in frames intended for artistic framing consists essentially of positioning a cardboard blank on a flat work surface, making two first cuts on the blank perpendicular corresponding to two adjacent sides of the window, to make a reversal of the blank on the work surface, and to make on this blank positioned as previously but turned over two other perpendicular cuts also corresponding to two adjacent side of the window which is thus totally dice _neck - oped.

Thus running almost simultaneously two sections corresponding perpendicular, in the most general case of a rectangular window _has the ire respectively to a width and a length of this window. The same operation, repeated after inversion and similar positioning of the blank, leads to the almost simultaneous cutting of the other width and the other length of the window. The window is thus completely cut out without intermediate storage, nor resumption of adjustments, nor manipulation additional tions.

According to an advantageous embodiment of this method, the initial positioning of the cardboard blank on the flat working surface is carried out by making the apex of an angle of the future window coincide with a fixed reference point, and the positioning Similar of the blank after the first cuts and the reversal, and before the last cuts, is achieved by making the apex of the angle of the window opposite the previous coincide with the same fixed reference point. This reference point is also used as the origin of all adjustments: adjustment of the margins in the two perpendicular directions, and adjustment of the stroke of the cutting tools according to the length and the width (possibly equal) of the window.

The mechanized apparatus for cutting window frames, intended for implementing the method defined above, essentially comprises, above a table constituting the flat working surface, two cutting blades, the respective supports of which are movable in translation along respective guides arranged in two perpendicular directions, as well as means for positioning the blanks to be cut on said table. In a mechanized execution, the respective supports of the two cutting blades are moved alternately in perpendicular directions, along the respective guides, by means of translation jacks, for example pneumatic.

Advantageously, the translation guides are fixed on the table and the perpendicular trajectories of the two cutting blades compete at a fixed reference point, relative to which is positioned a margin adjustment stop formed by a movable square, of which a first branch is sliding mounted on the table, and the other branch of which is sliding mounted on the first, the two branches of the bracket being respectively parallel to the directions of the translation guides of the blade supports.

The order of the two cylinders must of course be synchronized _{s e} so that the second blade reaches the end of travel to the fixed reference point while the first blade, previously arrived at the same fixed point, is already brought back from this point.

The translation guides carry movable tabs constituting the adjustable end-of-travel stops of the two aforementioned jacks, therefore of the two cutting blades.

Other cylinders, placed on the blade supports, control the penetration of the blades into the cardboard sides, before translation.

Preferably, the device is also equipped with a square-shaped presser, actuated by a jack capable of bringing it closer or away from the work surface, the two branches of this presser being parallel respectively to the directions of the guides. of translation of the blade supports, therefore to the cutting directions.

In any case, the invention will be better understood, and other characteristics will be highlighted, with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to FIG. 2 of the appended schematic drawing representing, in perspective, an embodiment of this device.

The mechanized apparatus according to the invention for cutting window frames includes: a table (5) provided with legs (6) and offering a flat working surface. Two supports (7,8) fixed to the ends of the table (5) maintain above this table longitudinal sliding guides (9). Between these guides (9) and a lateral support (10) are also fixed, also above the table (5), transverse sliding guides (11).

A first pneumatic translation cylinder (12) has its rod fixed to the support (10), while its body is mobile and slides along the transverse guides (11) at its ends. The bottom of the jack (12) constitutes a support (13) for a first cutting blade (14). The blade (14) is mounted on its sliding support (13) by means of a jack (15) ensuring its penetration into the carton. On one of the guides (11) is mounted, in an adjustable position, a cleat (16) constituting an end-of-travel stop for the translation cylinder (12).

A second pneumatic translation cylinder (17) has its rod fixed to the support (7), while its body is mobile and slides along the longitudinal guides (9) at its ends. The bottom of the jack (17) constitutes a support (18) for a second cutting blade (19). The blade (19) is also mounted on its sliding support (18) by means of a jack ensuring its penetration into the carton, this latter jack not being visible in FIG. 2 but being similar to the jack (15) . On one of the guides (9) is also mounted, in an adjustable position, a cleat (20) constituting an end-of-travel stop for the translation cylinder (17).

The device is fitted with a bracket (21) for adjusting the margins, formed by two movable branches (22,23). The first branch (22) extends longitudinally, in a direction parallel to that of the first sliding guides (9). This first branch (22) is slidably mounted in a transverse direction, by its ends which move along grooves (24) hollowed out at the ends of the table (5), locking means (25) making it possible to immobilize it in the desired position. The second branch (23) of the bracket (21) extends, perpendicular to the first branch (22), in a direction parallel to that of the transverse sliding guides (11); this second branch (23) is slidably mounted on the first branch (22), and it comprises a locking means (26) making it possible to immobilize it in the chosen position. Graduations (27,28), placed at the ends of the table (5) as well as on the first branch (22), make it possible to precisely position the two branches (22,23) of the bracket (21) according to the desired values for margins.

The apparatus further comprises a pressing device (29), comprising a bracket whose two branches (30,31) are respectively parallel to the directions of the translation guides (9,11). This bracket, allowing the cardboard blank (1) to be maintained during the cutting operation, is actuated by a jack, not shown, acting on a vertical rod (32) integral with said bracket, this jack being fixed at the intersection of the bars. horizontal of two brackets (33,34) fixed to the table (5).

The electro-pneumatic equipment used to supply and control the various cylinders can be supported by the base of the table (5), in order to. clear the entire work surface.

Before cutting a series of blanks (1) to the same dimensions, the two branches (22,23) of the bracket (21) are positioned as a function of the desired margins, by reference to the fixed point (0) defining itself as the point of the straight trajectories of the two cutting blades (14,19), so as an angle of the window (2) to be cut. The two tabs (16,20) are also positioned and locked on the respective guides (9,11), so as to fix the strokes of the two translation cylinders (12,17). The maximum recoil of the jack (12), determined by the position of the cleat (16), corresponds to the width of the window (2), while the maximum recoil of the jack (17), determined by the position of the cleat (20) , corresponds to the length of the window (2).

These preliminary adjustments being made, a cardboard blank (1) is brought onto the table (5) and positioned by applying two of its sides against the two branches (22, 23) of the bracket (21). The presser (29) is lowered to maintain the blank (1) in this position, then the two blades (14,19) are actuated by the jacks (12,15,17), so as to achieve the two first cuts along adjacent sides of the future window (2), namely a width (EO) and a length (FO). A suitable offset in the actuation of the jacks allows the second blade (19), for example, to arrive at the reference point (O) while the first blade (14) is already back.

After release of the pressing device (29), the blank (1) already comprising two cutouts is turned over and again positioned on the table (5) against the bracket (21), so as to coincide with the fixed reference point ( O) the point (0 ') which corresponds to the top of the future window opposite the angle already cut. The presser (29) is put back in place and the two blades (14,19) are put back into action as before, to cut the second width (FO ') and the second length (EO'). The total cutting of the window (2) is thus obtained.

After a new release of the presser (29), the frame obtained is removed and a new blank of cardboard (1) can be brought to the table (5) to undergo the same operations, and so on ...

The respective supports (13,18) of the two cutting blades (14,19) include the possibility of bevel cuts as of cuts orthogonal to the plane of the blank (1).

• - soit par des détails d'exécution, par exemple en utilisant, pour la commande de translation des lames de coupe, des vérins à corps fixe et non pas mobile, ou tout autre moyen de commande équivalent ;
• - soit par le recours à des moyens équivalents, tels que l'utilisation de lasers à la place des deux lames de coupe, ou le remplacement du presseur en forme d'équerre par un presseur formé de deux règles concourantes, mises au contact du flan de carton par des vérins à galets accompagnant les outils de coupe ;
• - soit par des aménagements complémentaires, tels que notamment des moyens permettant une automatisation de l'amenée des flans, du retournement de ces flans, et de l'évacuation des cadres finis.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the only embodiment of this mechanized device for cutting windows in frames which has been described above, by way of nonlimiting example; on the contrary, it embraces all the variants respecting the same principle, and which may differ from the embodiment described above:

• - Or by execution details, for example by using, for the translational control of the cutting blades, cylinders with fixed and not mobile body, or any other equivalent control means;
• - either by the use of equivalent means, such as the use of lasers in place of the two cutting blades, or the replacement of the square-shaped presser by a presser formed by two rules concurrent, brought into contact with the cardboard blank by roller jacks accompanying the cutting tools;
• - Either by additional arrangements, such as in particular means allowing automation of the supply of the blanks, the turning over of these blanks, and the evacuation of the finished frames.

Claims (10)

1. Method for cutting square or rectangular windows in so-called "master key" frames, intended for artistic framing, characterized in that it consists essentially in positioning a cardboard blank (1) on a work surface plane (5), to make on the blank (1) two first perpendicular cuts (EO, FO) corresponding to two adjacent sides of the window (2), to make a reversal of the blank (1) on the working surface (5 ), and to be produced on this blank (I) positioned as above but turned over two other perpendicular cuts (EO ', FO') also corresponding to two adjacent sides of the window (2) which is thus completely cut out. 2. Method for cutting windows according to claim 1, characterized in that the initial positioning of the cardboard blank (1) on the flat working surface (5) is carried out by making the apex of an angle of the future coincide window (2) with a fixed reference point (0), and in that the similar positioning of the blank (1) after the first cuts (EO, FO) and the reversal, and before the last cuts (EO ', FO' ), is achieved by making the vertex (0 ') of the window angle (2) opposite the previous one coincide with the same fixed reference point (0). 3. Method for cutting windows according to claim 2, characterized in that the reference point (O) is used as the origin of the adjustment of the margins in the two perpendicular directions, and as the origin of the adjustment of the stroke of the cutting tools (14.19) along the length and width of the window (2). 4. Mechanized device for cutting square or rectangular windows in so-called "master key" frames, intended for artistic framing, implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it essentially comprises, above a table (5) constituting the flat work surface, two cutting means (14,19) whose respective supports (13,18) are displaceable in translation along respective guides (9 , 11) arranged in two perpendicular directions, as well as means (20 to 28) for positioning the blanks (1) to be cut on said table (5). 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the respective supports (13,18) of the two cutting means (14,19) are moved alternately in perpendicular directions, the along the respective guides (9,11), by means of translation cylinders (12,17). 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the two translation cylinders (12,17) have their fixed rods and their bodies slidably mounted along the respective guides (9,11), the bottoms of the cylinders (12,17 ) constituting the supports (13,18) of the respective cutting means (14,19). 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cutting means are blades (14,19), and in that there are provided, on the supports (13,18) of said blades (14,19), other cylinders (15) controlling the penetration of the blades (14,19) in the cardboard blanks (1), as well as the withdrawal of these blades (14,19). 8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the guides (9,11) carry movable lugs (16,20) constituting the adjustable end-of-travel stops of the two translation cylinders (12, 17), therefore of the two cutting blades (14,19). 9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the translation guides (9,11) are fixed on the table (5) and in that the perpendicular trajectories of the two cutting blades (14, 19) compete at a fixed reference point (O), relative to which is positioned a margin adjustment stop formed by a movable bracket (21), a first branch (22) of which is slidably mounted on the table (5), and of which the other branch (23) is slidably mounted on the first, the two branches (22,23) of the bracket (21) being respectively parallel to the directions of the translation guides (9,11) of the blade supports ( 13.18). 10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that it is further equipped with a square-shaped presser (29), actuated by a jack capable of bringing it closer or away from it. the working surface (5), the two branches (30,31) of the presser (29) being respectively parallel to the directions of the translation guides (9,11) of the blade supports (13,18).

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