EP2964436B2 - Adjustable arrangement for transforming a planar support, cassette, unit and machine provided with same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a transformation cassette for a planar support, comprising an adjustable transformation arrangement for the planar support.

A packaging production machine is intended for the manufacture of boxes, which form packaging, after folding and gluing. In this machine, an initial planar support, such as a continuous strip of cardboard, is unwound and printed by a printing unit, made up of printing units. The strip is then transferred to a processing unit, to make plate elements, in this case boxes.

The transformation unit comprises at least one transformation arrangement provided with two rotary cylindrical tools, positioned parallel to one another, so as to cooperate with one another. The strip circulates between the two tools, to be transformed there. The two tools rotate in opposite directions to each other. The first tool is rotatably mounted in a first and a second bearing. And the second tool is rotatably mounted in a third and a fourth bearing. Clamps are provided to securely hold the first and third bearings, as well as the second and fourth bearings. The transformation arrangement is most often provided so as to form a cassette. The cassette is inserted by sliding into each of the side frames of the unit.

The cassette allows rapid change of tools, depending on the transformations of the support to be produced. The packaging manufacturer has at least two cassettes. A first cassette is in the machine during production and is adapted according to the transformation work in progress. During this time, a second cassette is being assembled and adjusted to be adapted according to the following transformation work. When changing jobs, the operator takes out the old cassette and inserts the new cassette, minimizing machine downtime.

As a first example, one of the arrangements or one of the cassettes is respectively a rotary cutting arrangement or a rotary cutting cassette. A first cylindrical cutting tool is provided with knives, and a second cylindrical tool is smooth, and is called an anvil. When cutting, the knife edges of the cutting tool must pass as close as possible to the anvil cylinder, in order to make a clean cut. The edges of these knives must not, however, touch the anvil cylinder, as they will be irreparably destroyed during rotation. The material of the support, i.e. the fibers in the case of cardboard, must not appear at the cutout. It is also not desirable to have dust from the cutting of the material constituting the support.

Therefore, the optimal radial interval between the two rotary cylindrical tools is set in the micron. In order for this interval to be obtained in a precise manner, each end of the two rotary cylindrical tools comprises a rolling crown. The rolling crown of one of the tools rolls on the rolling crown of the other of the tools (see document EP-0'764'505 ).

As a second example, one of the arrangements or one of the cassettes is respectively a rotary delivery arrangement or a rotary delivery cassette. A first cylindrical tool for repressing is provided with a male form or repressing matrix, and a second cylindrical tool is provided with a form or complementary female repressing matrix. The discharge must be clean, without breaking the edges or the bottom of the discharge. In this case, the optimal radial interval between the two rotary cylindrical tools is set in the hundredth.

State of the art

To obtain a first adjustment of the radial interval, the first and second bearings are respectively pressurized using jacks against the third and fourth bearings, in order to apply the desired cutting pressure while obtaining the radial interval between the two tools.

The documents FR-2'452'372 and EP-1,531,975 describe an arrangement in which the interval between the four bearings is adjusted with two corners or spacers with inclined face and sliding therebetween.

However, such an arrangement does not give the possibility of adjusting the levels between the first and third levels and between the second and fourth levels.

Statement of the invention

The invention is defined by claim 1. A main object of the present invention is to develop a processing arrangement for a planar support for a processing unit in a packaging production machine. A second objective is to provide a transformation arrangement with rotary tools allowing a simpler, more sensitive and therefore extremely precise adjustment of the interval between the two tools to be obtained. A third objective is to provide an arrangement making it possible to improve the reproducibility of the adjustments between the rotary tools. A fourth objective is to solve the technical problems mentioned for the arrangements of the state of the art. A fifth objective is to simplify and facilitate any change of tools in an arrangement, while simplifying and optimizing the subsequent adjustments. A sixth objective consists in providing a cassette comprising a transformation arrangement for the transformation unit. Yet another objective is that of successfully inserting a processing unit into a packaging production machine.

A transformation arrangement for a planar support includes a first rotary cylindrical transformation tool and a second rotary cylindrical transformation tool. The first rotary cylindrical transformation tool and the second rotary rotary transformation tool are arranged between them and cooperate with each other, to ensure a transformation of the planar support. The transformation arrangement for the planar support comprises a first lateral bearing and a second lateral bearing. The first lateral bearing and the second lateral bearing hold the first rotary cylindrical transformation tool for rotation. The transformation arrangement for the planar support includes a third lateral bearing and a fourth lateral bearing. The third lateral bearing and the fourth lateral bearing hold the second rotary cylindrical transformation tool for rotation. The transformation arrangement for the flat support comprises adjustment means in the form of spacers with an inclined face and sliding therebetween. The spacers are used to adjust the gap between the first bearing and the third bearing. The spacers are used to adjust the gap between the second level and the fourth level. The spacers make it possible to adjust a radial interval between the first rotary cylindrical transformation tool and the second rotary cylindrical transformation tool.

According to the present invention, the transformation arrangement for the planar support is characterized in that the adjustment means comprise two spacers which are interposed between the first lateral bearing and the third lateral bearing, and two spacers which are interposed between the second lateral bearing and the fourth lateral bearing.

In other words, with two adjustable spacers for two bearings, the adjustment precision is much higher. The adjustment makes it possible to balance and adjust the level of each of the two bearings on one side and the other of the arrangement. Such adjustments make it possible to maintain an optimal transformation of the planar support throughout the production. Four adjustment possibilities are possible with four spacers. This multiplication of settings also simplifies the manufacture of bearings.

In accordance with an optional aspect of the present invention, which is not the subject of the claims, the transformation arrangement for the planar support is characterized in that the spacer is moved by a differential screw having a first external thread, cooperating with a first internal thread of an integral part of one of the lateral bearings, as well as a second external thread, different from the first external thread and cooperating with a second internal thread of the spacer.

In other words, with such a screw by spacer, the adjustment can be carried out with much more precision, depending on the characteristics of the dimensions of the threads chosen. Such an adjustment makes it possible to obtain and maintain a high-quality transformation of the planar support throughout the production.

A fine adjustment makes it possible to gradually compensate for the wear of one or more rotary cylindrical transformation tools which occur as and when they are used. The service life of the tool (s) is increased. An optimized setting also makes it possible to have bearings that are simpler to manufacture, requiring less machining precision. The fine and precise adjustment makes it possible to reduce the time for adjusting the radial interval between the two tools.

The flat support is defined, by way of non-exhaustive example, as being of a continuous strip material, such as paper, flat cardboard, corrugated cardboard, laminated corrugated cardboard, flexible plastic, for example polyethylene ( PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bioriented polypropylene (BOPP), or other materials.

With the conversion cassette, the access, assembly and disassembly of the tools are facilitated for the operator ensuring the adjustments and maintenance of the unit and the machine.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, a transformation unit for a flat support is characterized in that it is equipped with at least one transformation cassette for the planar support, this cassette being provided with a transformation arrangement for the flat support, having one or more of the technical characteristics described below and claimed.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, a transformation unit for a planar support is characterized in that it comprises at least one transformation arrangement for the planar support, having one or more of the technical characteristics described below and claimed. .

According to yet another preferred aspect of the invention, a machine for producing packaging from a flat support is characterized in that it comprises at least one processing unit for the flat support, having one or more of the characteristics techniques described below and claimed.

Brief description of the drawings

• la Figure 1 représente une vue latérale synoptique d'une unité de transformation;
• la Figure 2 représente une vue isométrique d'une cassette munie d'un agencement de transformation selon l'invention;
• la Figure 3 représente une vue latérale partielle de la cassette de la Figure 2;
• la Figure 4 représente une vue isométrique partielle des moyens d'ajustement; et
• les Figures 5 et 6 représentent une vue en coupe longitudinale partielle des moyens d'ajustement respectivement avec un premier et un deuxième écart.

The invention will be clearly understood and its various advantages and various characteristics will become more apparent from the following description, from the nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

• the Figure 1 represents a synoptic side view of a processing unit;
• the Figure 2 represents an isometric view of a cassette provided with a transformation arrangement according to the invention;
• the Figure 3 represents a partial side view of the cassette of the Figure 2 ;
• the Figure 4 shows a partial isometric view of the adjustment means; and
• the Figures 5 and 6 represent a view in partial longitudinal section of the adjustment means respectively with a first and a second gap.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

A packaging production machine (not shown) processes a flat material or support, which in this case is a continuous strip support, for example flat cardboard. As the Figure 1 , the machine comprises a unit for transforming a support 1 to transform the strip 2. The direction of advance or of travel (arrow F in Figure 1 ) of the strip 2 and the strip transformed in the longitudinal direction indicates the upstream direction and the downstream direction in the unit 1. The front and rear positions are defined with respect to the transverse direction, as being respectively the driver or operator side and the opposite driver or operator side.

The machine may have a tape unwinder, units such as printing units, means for controlling the quality and register of printing, a tape guide, and others, which are positioned upstream of the machine. unit 1.

The processing unit 1 is an embossing, upsetting and cutting unit. The strip 2 arrives in the unit 1 with a constant speed by its transverse side upstream. An introduction group comprising drive rollers and deflection rollers for the strip 2 is provided at the input of the unit 1. The unit 1 transforms the strip 2, successively by embossing it, pushing it back and cutting out.

Unit 1 delivers poses or transformed boxes 3, being consequently in embossed flat cardboard, turned up and cut out. The boxes 3 exit from the unit 1 with the same constant speed by its transverse side downstream. The boxes 3 made up in unit 1 are then separated laterally and longitudinally from one another in a separation station and then received in a reception station (not shown).

The unit 1 firstly comprises a first arrangement ensuring the embossing 4, arranged upstream, ie at the inlet of this unit 1. The embossing arrangement 4 is equipped with an upper rotary embossing tool 6, positioned parallel to a lower rotary embossing tool 7. In the exemplary embodiment, an embossing cassette 8 comprises the embossing arrangement 4.

The unit 1 comprises a second delivery arrangement 9, arranged downstream of the embossing arrangement 4. The delivery arrangement 9 is equipped with an upper rotary delivery tool 11, positioned parallel to a lower rotary tool of delivery 12. In the embodiment, a delivery cassette 13 comprises the delivery arrangement 9.

Unit 1 comprises a third arrangement ensuring cutting 14, arranged downstream of the delivery arrangement 9, ie at the output of this unit 1. The cutting arrangement 14 is equipped with an upper rotary cutting tool 16, positioned parallel to a lower rotary cutting tool 17. In the exemplary embodiment, a cutting cassette 18 comprises the cutting arrangement 14.

The arrangements 4, 9 and 14, and thus the cassettes 8, 13 and 18, are placed one after the other so that each one carries out their respective transformation, by embossing, upsetting, and cutting of the strip 2. A tool for ejection of waste in the form of a cylinder fitted with ejection needles can also be provided in place of the lower rotary cutting tool 17. Other combinations are possible, such as an upper cylinder forming both a cutting tool and a press tool.

The axis of rotation of each of the embossing tools 6 and 7, of upsetting 11 and 12, and of cutting 16 and 17 is oriented transversely relative to the direction of travel F of the strip 2. The direction of rotation (arrow Rs in Figure 2 ) upper embossing tools 6, repressing tools 11, and cutting tools 16 are reversed with respect to the direction of rotation (arrow Ri in Figure 2 ) lower embossing tools 7, upsetting tools 12, and cutting tools 17.

The embossing 8, upsetting 13 and cutting 18 cassettes are capable of being introduced into a frame 19 of the unit 1, to be fixed to the frame 19, put into production, then conversely, able to be separated from the frame 19, and to be extracted from this frame 19. The unit 1 thus comprises three transverse housings provided in the frame 19 for each of the three cassettes 8, 13 and 18. The cassettes 8, 13 and 18 are introduced vertically, by the high relative to the frame 19 in the transverse housings. Conversely, the cassettes 8, 13 and 18 can be extracted vertically relative to the frame 19, out of their respective transverse housing.

The cutting arrangement 14, and therefore the cutting cassette 18, includes (see Figure 2 ) the rotary cylindrical upper tool 16 provided with cutting threads (not shown) machined or attached on its circumference depending on the configuration of the boxes to be produced. The rotary cylindrical lower tool or anvil 17 has a smooth circumference. The strip 2 travels F in the radial interval 20 between the upper tool 16 and the anvil 17. The upper tool 16 is arranged so as to cooperate with the anvil 17 to transform, ie cut the strip 2.

The upper tool 16 is provided at each of its ends with a rolling crown 21, respectively 22. The anvil 17 is provided at each of its ends with a rolling crown 23, respectively 24. The rolling crowns 21 and 22 of the upper tool 16 come into contact, bear on, and roll on the opposite rolling rings 23 and 24 of the anvil 17.

The cutting arrangement 14, and therefore the cutting cassette 18, comprises a first upper front bearing 26 and a second upper rear bearing 27 now for rotation the first tool, ie the upper tool 16 by its axis of rotation 28 The cutting arrangement 14, and therefore the cutting cassette 18, comprises a third lower front bearing 29 and a fourth lower rear bearing 31 now for rotation of the second tool, ie the anvil 17 by its axis of rotation 32 The base of the two lower bearings 29 and 31 rests on the frame 19 when the cutting cassette 18 is inserted in the unit 1.

The cutting arrangement 14, and therefore the cutting cassette 18, comprises drive means intended to rotate the two tools 16 and 17. These means are formed with a first upper pinion 33 for the upper tool 16 fixed at the rear on its axis of rotation 28. This first pinion 33 meshes with a second lower pinion 34 for the anvil 17 fixed at the rear on its axis of rotation 32. When the cassette 18 is inserted in the frame 19, the teeth of the first pinion 33 mesh with the teeth of a pinion conjugate of an electric motor for driving in rotation.

The first upper front bearing 26 of the upper tool 16 is fixed to the third lower front bearing 29 of the anvil 17, and the second upper rear bearing 27 of the upper tool 16 is fixed to the fourth lower rear bearing 31 of the anvil 17, so as to constitute the cutting cassette 18. To hold the cassette 18 in one piece, elements, in the form of four tie rods 36, front upstream, front downstream, rear upstream, and rear downstream, pass vertically respectively the upper front bearing 26 and the upper rear bearing 27, on either side of the axis of rotation 28 of the upper tool 16. The lower end of each of the four front and rear tie rods 36 is threaded and screws in a thread respectively in the lower front bearing 29 and in the lower rear bearing 31. Four nuts 37, upstream front, downstream front, upstream rear, and downstream rear, are respectively screwed onto the upper end ure of the four tie rods 36. The nuts 37 block the tie rods 36 by pressing on an upper face respectively of the upper front bearing 26 and of the upper rear bearing 27 and make it possible to prestress them.

The cutting cassette 18, as well as the embossing 8 and delivery 13 cassettes, comprise two gripping lugs 41 each provided at the upper face of the upper front bearing 26 and the upper rear bearing 27. The two lugs 41 are intended to cooperate with lifting means for lifting and transporting the cassette 8, 13 and 18.

In order to ensure satisfactory operation of the cutting cassette 18 or of the rotary cutting arrangement 14, it is necessary to make a meticulous adjustment of the distance existing between the upper tool 16 and the anvil 17. To do this , adjustment means 42 are interposed between the first upper front bearing 26 and the third lower front bearing 29, and between the second upper rear bearing 27 and the fourth lower rear bearing 31.

The adjustment means 42 comprise spacers, in this case similar to corners, which are movable by sliding. According to the invention, four spacers 43, 44, 46 and 47 are provided. A front upstream spacer 43, a front downstream spacer 44, a rear upstream spacer 46 (visible by transparency in Figure 2 ) and a rear downstream spacer 47 allow four different adjustments, front and rear, upstream and downstream.

By moving the spacers 43, 44, 46 and 47, a gap e (see Figure 4 ) varies, upstream and downstream, between the first bearing 26 and the third front bearing 29 and between the second bearing 27 and the fourth rear bearing 31. The difference e is obtained due to an upper inclined face 48 of l 'spacer 43. Adjustments of the horizontality in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction are possible with the four spacers 43, 44, 46 and 47.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4 , the spacer 43 is in the form of a metal wedge with two branches 49 and 51, leaving a space to be able to pass the corresponding tie rod 36. The two branches 49 and 51 of the spacer 43 are pressed against the face upper of the lower front bearing 29. The two branches 49 and 51 have the upper inclined face 48.

An intermediate piece 52, also with two arms 53 and 54, is favorably secured to the underside of the first upper bearing 26 or to the second upper bearing 27. The two arms 53 and 54 of the insert 52 comprise an opposite inclined lower face 56 , corresponding to the upper inclined face 48 of the spacer 43.

The sliding (arrow S in Figures 5 and 6 ) of the spacer 43 between the third lower bearing 29 or the fourth lower bearing 31 and the intermediate piece 52 makes it possible to adjust the distance e, the upper inclined face 48 being pressed against the opposite lower inclined face 56 with different possible positions (see Figures 5 and 6 ).

The action to adjust the gap e is defined as the action to close the gap e between the bearings 26, 27, 29 and 31, in the case of the cutting tools 16 and 17, the adjustment of the interval precise 20 being obtained by crowns 21, 22, 23 and 24. The action to adjust the gap e is defined as the action to adjust the gap e of the precise interval 20 in the case of the embossing tools 6 and 7 and delivery 11 and 12.

In the Figure 5 , the spacer 43 is at the bottom relative to the intermediate piece 52, and consequently the difference e1 is the smallest. In the Figure 6 , the spacer 43 is advanced relative to the intermediate piece 52, and consequently the difference e2 is greater, greater than the smallest difference e1.

According to the invention, the spacer 43 is moved by sliding S thanks to a screw 57. The screw 57 is advantageously a differential screw which has a first external thread 58 cooperating with a first internal thread 59 of a part 61 integral with the bearing lower 29. The screw 57 mechanically connects the sliding spacer 43 to the stationary part 61. The screw 57 has a second external thread 62 cooperating with a second internal thread 63 formed in the mobile spacer 43. The two threads 58 and 62, and their corresponding thread 59 and 63, allow fine adjustment of the gap e, in depending on the step difference chosen. The pitch difference corresponds to the sensitivity desired for the adjustment. The screw 57 has a different diameter at the two threads 58 and 62. The second thread 62 has a diameter greater than the first thread 58. When the screw 57 is turned (Arrow T in Figure 4 ) and progresses in one direction, the spacer 43 progresses S in the same direction.

The spacers 43, 44, 46 and 47, and the insert 52 have an elongated shape. The inclined face 48 of all the spacers 43, 44, 46 and 47, and consequently the inclined face 56 of the intermediate piece 52, is preferably oriented in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the great length of the spacers 43, 44, 46 and 47 and of the intermediate piece 52 is parallel to the longitudinal direction. Access to the screws 57 is done upstream and downstream of the arrangement 14 and / or of the cassette 18, which is more ergonomic for the operator.

The cutting arrangement 14 also advantageously comprises a flat shim of predefined thickness 64, interposed between the first upper bearing 26 or the second upper bearing 27 and the intermediate piece 52 with inclined face 56. The flat shim 64 allows adaptation when using cylinders 16 and 17 of different diameters.

With a more ergonomic processing unit 1, the risk of error is greatly reduced, which consequently leads to a reduction in boxes that are non-compliant or that do not have optimal quality.

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

Claims (9)

1. Converting cassette for a flat substrate (2), comprising a converting arrangement (4, 9, 14) for a flat substrate (2), comprising:

   - first and second cylindrical rotary converting tool (16, 17), configured and able to cooperate to convert the substrate (2),

   - first and second lateral bearing (26, 27), holding the first tool (16) for rotation (Rs),

   - third and fourth lateral bearing (29, 31), holding the second tool (17) for rotation (Ri),
   the first lateral bearing (26) of the first tool (16) being fixed to the third lateral bearing (29) of the second tool (17), and the second lateral bearing (27) of the first tool (16) being fixed to the fourth lateral bearing (31) of the second tool (17), so as to constitute the cassette (18),

   - four anchors (36), front upstream, front downstream, rear upstream, and rear downstream, vertically respectively pass through the first lateral bearing (26) and the second lateral bearing (27) on either side of the axis of rotation (28) of the first tool (16), to hold the cassette (18) in one single support, and

   - adjustment means (42) to adjust the respective gap (e, e1, e2) between the first and third bearing (26, 29) and between the second and fourth bearing (27, 31), so as to adjust a radial gap (20) between the two tools (16, 17),

   characterised in that the adjustment means (42) are in the form of spacers (43, 44, 46, 47) with inclined face (48) and slidable (S), and comprise two spacers (43, 44) inserted between the first and third bearing (26, 29), and two spacers (46, 47) inserted between the second and fourth bearing (27, 31) and
   in that the spacers (43, 44, 46, 47) are presented in the form of a metal shim with two branches (49, 51), leaving a space to be able to allow the corresponding anchor (36) to pass through.
2. Cassette according to claim 1, characterised in that the spacer (43) is displaced (S) by differential screw (57) having a first thread (58) cooperating with a threading (59) of a portion (61) solid with one of the bearings (29), and a second thread (62), different from the first thread (58) and cooperating with a threading (63) of the spacer (43).
3. Cassette according to claim 2, characterised in that the threads (58, 62) of the screw (57) have different pitches.
4. Cassette according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the inclined face (48) of the spacer (43) is oriented in the longitudinal direction.
5. Cassette according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the spacer (43, 44, 46, 47) slides (S) respectively between the third or fourth bearing (29, 31) and a part (52) with inclined face (56) solid with the first or second bearing (26, 27).
6. Cassette according to claim 5, characterised in that it also comprises a flat shim with predefined thickness (64) inserted between the first or second bearing (26, 27) and the part (52) with inclined face (56).
7. Cassette according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the first and second tool is a cutting tool (16, 17), and/or an embossing tool (6, 7), and/or a creasing tool (11, 12), and/or a waste ejection tool.
8. Converting unit for a flat substrate (2), characterised in that it is equipped with at least one converting cassette (8, 13, 18), according to the previous claims.
9. Machine for producing packaging from a flat substrate (2), characterised in that it comprises a converting unit (1), according to claim 8.

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