U.S. patent application number 13/809935 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for method for protecting a converting unit for converting a web substrate, feeding station and packaging production machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is Philippe Clement. Invention is credited to Philippe Clement.
Application Number | 20130112728 13/809935 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43296969 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130112728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clement; Philippe |
May 9, 2013 |
METHOD FOR PROTECTING A CONVERTING UNIT FOR CONVERTING A WEB
SUBSTRATE, FEEDING STATION AND PACKAGING PRODUCTION MACHINE
Abstract
A method for protecting a unit for converting a web substrate to
limit a jam of the substrate (3) inside the unit (2), the unit
converting the substrate when the unit is stopped, in a packaging
production machine: the steps of: detecting at the outlet of the
unit that the converted web does not come out; stopping a motor of
an infeed arrangement to prevent the substrate from entering the
unit; stopping a motor of a feathering drive; and simultaneously
stopping the machine.
Inventors: |
Clement; Philippe;
(Lausanne, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Clement; Philippe |
Lausanne |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
43296969 |
Appl. No.: |
13/809935 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
June 24, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP11/03106 |
371 Date: |
January 14, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
226/1 ; 226/195;
226/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 26/025 20130101;
B65H 2301/4491 20130101; B65H 26/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
226/1 ; 226/195;
226/24 |
International
Class: |
B65H 26/02 20060101
B65H026/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 14, 2010 |
EP |
10007237.0 |
Claims
1. A method for protecting a unit for converting a web substrate in
order to limit a jam of the substrate inside said unit, wherein
said unit converts the substrate when the substrate is stopped,
wherein said unit is in a packaging production machine; the method
comprising successive steps of: detecting at an outlet of said unit
that the converted substrate does not exit said outlet; stopping a
motor driving a substrate infeed arrangement to prevent the
substrate from entering said unit at said infeed arrangement;
stopping a motor driving a feathering drive that advances said web
from said infeed arrangement toward said unit outlet, and
simultaneously stopping said machine.
2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising calculating a
waiting time between said step of stopping said motor of said
infeed arrangement and said step of stopping said motor of said
feathering drive.
3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising at the same
time as stopping said motor of said infeed arrangement and before
said step of stopping said motor of said feathering drive,
additional steps comprising stopping a motor of a loop control for
said web which is then advancing, and placing said loop control in
a parking position not advancing said web.
4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising after said
step of stopping said motor of said infeed arrangement and before
said step of stopping said motor of said feathering drive, an
additional step comprising guiding said substrate toward an
accumulation device.
5. A station for feeding a converting unit with a web substrate,
the converting unit being configured for converting the substrate
when the substrate is stopped, the station comprising a feathering
drive for selectively advancing or permitting halting advance of
said substrate, a loop control operable to maintain web tension on
said advancing substrate and an infeed arrangement for entry of the
substrate into said unit, an accumulation device for said substrate
as said infeed arrangement is stopping and before said feathering
drive is stopped.
6. A station according to claim 5, further comprising a mechanical
device for guiding the substrate toward the accumulation device and
the accumulation device being positioned for receiving the web
substrate advancing as said infeed arrangement is stopping and
before said feathering drive is stopped.
7. A station according to claim 5, further comprising a mechanical
barrier positioned for preventing said substrate from moving into
said station and off a path toward said converting unit.
8. A station according to claim 5, further comprising from upstream
to downstream, a lateral web guide, a dancer roller, a web
decurler, the feathering drive, a pressing roller, the loop control
and the infeed arrangement.
9. A packaging production machine comprising: a unit for converting
a substrate and operable to convert the substrate when said
substrate is stopped; a station for feeding said unit with said
substrate, said station having a feathering drive and an infeed
arrangement for advancing said web to said station; a jam detector
positioned at an outlet of said unit configured for sending a jam
signal corresponding to a jam of said substrate inside said unit;
and a device for processing the jam signal and configured to
generate stop signals respectively for said infeed arrangement, for
said feathering drive, and for said machine.
10. A machine according to claim 9, wherein said unit is a
diecutting platen press.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for protecting a
unit for converting a web substrate. The invention also relates to
a station for feeding a converting unit with a wen substrate. The
invention also relates to a packaging production machine comprising
a feeding station and a converting unit.
[0002] A packaging production machine is designed for the
manufacture of boxes that will be suitable for forming packages, by
folding and gluing. In this machine, the production begins with an
initial web substrate, that is to say a virgin web, for example of
cardboard, which is unwound in a continuous manner, printed by one
or more printing units, optionally embossed, and then cut in a
diecutting platen press.
[0003] The substrate converted in the form of blanks or of boxes
obtained by cutting are then shingled, before being stacked in rows
in order to form stacks in a delivery and palletizing station for
the purpose of storing them or of conveying them away from the
machine.
[0004] A diecutting platen press or also a printing platen is a
converting unit that requires a momentary stop in the progression
of the web substrate during the conversion. Because of the
continuous feeding upstream, there occurs an accumulation of the
substrate in the form of an upstream loop.
[0005] A feeding station is used first of all to place the printing
in longitudinal and lateral register with the cutting. The other
function of the feeding station is to cyclically create and to
control at all times this loop which lengthens during the stoppage
due to the work of the press, and which shortens as soon as the
feeding of the press resumes for the purpose of the subsequent
conversion. The feeding station converts the continuous progression
of the substrate into an intermittent progression, on each working
cycle of the converting unit, while keeping the substrate in
tension at the loop control.
STATE OF THE ART
[0006] The phases of accelerating, of decelerating the substrate in
the feeding station, and the conversion being carried out flat in
the unit are very sensitive to the quality and to the type of the
web substrate. As an example, the substrate that is at the
beginning of a reel does not have the same physical qualities as
the substrate at the end of a reel, and this is so for one and the
same reel of substrate unwinding at the inlet of the machine.
Despite the presence of a web decurler, jams occur in the
converting unit.
[0007] Documents CH-602.462 and CH-618.660 describe a feeding
station for a diecutting platen press, comprising a pulling member
and a feathering drive leading the substrate around the
circumference of an off-center roller mounted between two rotary
plates.
[0008] These existing constructions come out of adjustment and also
wear quite rapidly, which leads to jams of the substrate in the
feeding station and in the converting unit formed by the press.
[0009] Also known according to documents EP-742.170 and
WO-2010/063.353 are a device and a station for feeding a converting
unit with a substrate, the unit working on the substrate when
stopped. This device comprises a first roller, called a drive
roller, also known as a draw roller or feathering drive, around
which there oscillates cyclically, in the upstream direction and
then in the downstream direction, a second roller, called a
satellite roller. An infeed arrangement, designed to feed a
converting unit, is mounted downstream of the feathering drive. The
infeed arrangement comprises a bottom roller driven in
rotation.
[0010] In the event of jamming of the substrate inside the
converting unit, the whole machine, with the converting unit and
the feeding station, is automatically stopped with the aid of means
for detecting the jam that are placed downstream of the unit.
However, because of the inertia of the drive, the web substrate
will continue to enter the unit until the progression of the web is
completely stopped. The substrate will form a jam.
[0011] In order to remove the web substrate that has accumulated
inside the unit, for example inside the press, the operator must
intervene in a very narrow zone between upper and lower beams, as
well as in the tablet of platen infeed. The material that has
agglomerated and compacted forms plugs that are extremely solid.
The machine operator must then extract the material and clean the
unit, most frequently by hand. During this long period of stoppage,
the machine is no longer in production.
[0012] Because of the very high pressure exerted by the substrate
entering the unit, the result of this is a twisting or even a
destruction of the converting tools, in this case the cutting tools
and creasing counterparts, and of certain mechanical parts, and
possibly electrical parts, of the unit. All of these tools must be
replaced and again adjusted for the accuracy of cutting. This
operation to repair the unit takes time and is extremely
costly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A main object of the present invention is to develop a
method for protecting a unit for converting a web substrate. A
second object is to prevent damaging the converting tools that are
present in the converting unit in the event of a jam. A third
object is to conserve the longitudinal and lateral register of the
substrate between the feeding and the converting, while stopping
the converting unit, the feeding station and the packaging
production machine. A fourth object is to produce a packaging
production machine allowing a converting of a substrate, comprising
a feeding station and a unit for converting the substrate, and
protection means. Yet another object is that of providing
modifications for protecting a feeding station of a converting unit
with a web substrate.
[0014] According to the present invention, a method for protecting
a unit for converting a web substrate is designed to limit a jam of
the web substrate inside the unit for converting the web substrate,
this unit for converting the web substrate converting the web
substrate when stopped, in a packaging production machine. The
method comprises the successive steps consisting in:
[0015] detecting, at the outlet of the unit for converting the web
substrate, that the converted substrate does not come out;
[0016] stopping a motor of an infeed arrangement so as to prevent
the web substrate entering the unit for converting the web
substrate;
[0017] stopping a motor of a feathering drive in the feeding
station; and in simultaneously stopping the packaging production
machine.
[0018] In other words, the first step is used to detect whether or
not a converted substrate comes out of the converting unit. If the
converted substrate does not come out, while the unit, the feeding
station and the machine are in operation, a signal corresponding to
a jam malfunction is emitted. The jam of the substrate is thus
immediately detected and then dealt with.
[0019] With the second step consisting in stopping a motor of an
infeed arrangement, the movement of the substrate toward and inside
the unit is halted instantaneously. The jam inside the unit is
immediately stopped and does not get worse.
[0020] With the third step consisting in stopping a motor of a
feathering drive, separate from the second step, the progression of
the substrate is stopped gradually. This makes it possible to stop
the whole machine at the same time. The arrival of the substrate at
the feeding station and at the converting unit is stopped.
[0021] With this gradual stoppage, the register is kept in an
acceptable range. In contrast with the invention, too rapid a stop
or an emergency stop are found to be excessively sudden stops,
which consequently cause a risk of disruptions, or even a risk of
breakage of the web substrate. With a slower stop, the adjustments
and the parameters used to control the machine are retained.
[0022] By virtue of the invention, the jam in the unit and in the
station is minimized. The operator therefore rapidly proceeds with
the subsequent restarting of the whole machine as soon as he has
removed a small quantity of web substrate and cleaned the unit and
the station.
[0023] In the whole of the description, the longitudinal direction
is defined with reference to the median axis of the packaging
production machine, of the feeding station and of the converting
unit. This direction is determined by that of the drive of the web
substrate. The transverse and lateral direction is defined as being
the direction perpendicular to the direction of drive of the
substrate. The upstream and downstream directions are defined by
making reference to the direction of progression of the substrate,
in the longitudinal direction, respectively before and after the
feeding station and the converting unit.
[0024] In another aspect of the invention, a station able to feed a
converting unit with a web substrate, the converting unit
converting the web substrate when stopped, comprises a feathering
drive, a loop control and an infeed arrangement. The feeding
station is characterized in that it comprises accumulation means
for the web substrate.
[0025] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a
packaging production machine comprises
[0026] a unit for converting a web substrate, able to convert the
web substrate when stopped, and
[0027] a station for feeding the unit with the web substrate,
having a feathering drive and an infeed arrangement.
[0028] The packaging production machine is characterized in that it
comprises:
[0029] means for detecting a jam of the web substrate inside the
converting unit and sending a jam signal corresponding to a jam of
the web substrate inside the converting unit, these means being
positioned at the outlet of the unit, and
[0030] means for processing the jam signal, able to generate stop
signals, respectively intended for the infeed arrangement, for the
feathering drive, and for the packaging production machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The invention will be clearly understood and its various
advantages and features will better emerge from the following
description of the nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, with reference
to the appended schematic drawing in which the FIGURE represents a
synoptic side view of a portion of packaging production machine,
comprising a feeding station and a converting unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] As illustrated in the FIGURE, a packaging production machine
1 comprises a converting unit which, in this case, is a diecutting
platen press 2. The press 2 converts a material or a web substrate
3. In this example, the web 3 is flat cardboard and this cardboard
is cut in the press 2. A feeding station 4 is positioned upstream
of the press 2. The station 4 receives the web 3 upstream, arriving
at a constant speed.
[0033] Upstream of the station 4, the machine 1 has, as an example,
printing units, means for monitoring the quality and the register
of the printing, as well as means for embossing or any other means
(not shown) for modifying the surface of the web 3.
[0034] The station 4 delivers this same web 3 downstream to the
press 2 at an intermittent speed. The press 2 cuts the web 3 when
stopped and delivers it in the form of blanks 6. The substrate,
that is to say the web 3, changes from an unconverted substrate
state to a converted substrate state, that is to say the blanks 6.
The blanks 6 come out downstream of the press 2. The direction of
travel or of progression (arrow F) of the web 3 and of the blanks 6
in the longitudinal direction indicates the upstream direction and
the downstream direction.
[0035] In order to ensure an optimum operation of the press 2, the
station 4 may comprise, in order from upstream to downstream:
[0036] a lateral web guiding 7, used for correcting the lateral
register of the web 3 if necessary;
[0037] an dancer roller 8, designed to establish a constant tension
of the web 3;
[0038] a web straightener 9 also known as a "decurler", designed to
straightened the curves of the cardboard;
[0039] a feathering drive 11;
[0040] a pressing roller 12, positioned against the feathering
drive 11, so as to hold the web 3 against the feathering drive 11;
and
[0041] a loop control 13.
[0042] A first infeed arrangement 14, for guiding, driving and
taking the web 3 into the press 2, is positioned downstream of the
feathering drive 11 and of the loop control 13 and upstream of the
press 2. The infeed arrangement 14 is installed by being fastened
in the feeding station 4. A second outlet arrangement 16 for
guiding, driving and bringing the cut blanks 6 out of the press 2,
is positioned downstream of the press 2.
[0043] The feathering drive is formed by a main drive roller 11,
rotating on a main shaft (arrow R). The main shaft and therefore
the main roller 11 are installed substantially on the horizontal
and perpendicularly to the direction of progression of the web 3.
The main roller 11 therefore continuously drives the web 3 from
upstream to downstream. A main electric drive motor 17 rotates the
main roller 11.
[0044] The loop control comprises a satellite roller 13 placed side
by side to and parallel with the main roller 11. The web 3 is
engaged between the main roller 11 and this satellite roller 13 and
it is held there while being able to be driven. The web 3 forms a
path which covers approximately three-quarters of a circumference
of the main roller 11 and half a circumference of the satellite
roller 13.
[0045] The satellite roller 13 is able to oscillate (arrow (O)
around the main drive roller 11, from upstream to downstream and
vice versa from downstream to upstream. In the FIGURE, the
satellite roller 13 is shown in the extreme downstream position. A
secondary electric drive motor 18 causes the satellite roller 13 to
oscillate.
[0046] The frequency of the oscillations O of the satellite roller
13 generates variations in speed of the web 3. The web 3 changes
cyclically from a constant speed to a zero speed, and vice versa
from a zero speed to a constant speed. These speed variations and
hence the frequency of the oscillations O are chosen as a function
of the cutting strike speed of the press 2 situated downstream.
[0047] The infeed arrangement 14 comprises a bottom roller 19 and a
series of top pressure rollers 21. The web 3 is engaged, held and
driven into the press 2 between the roller 19 and the pressure
rollers 21. The roller 19 is rotatably driven by an electric motor
22. The outlet arrangement 16 for the blanks 5 has substantially
the same mechanical structure as the infeed arrangement 14 for the
web 3.
[0048] The infeed arrangement 14 is also known as the MIR or
modulated infeed roller. The outlet arrangement 16 is also known as
the MOR or modulated outlet roller. The infeed arrangement 14 and
the outlet arrangement 16 are for example substantially similar to
that described in the document WO-2010/066.325.
[0049] According to the invention, means for detecting a jam,
advantageously in the form of a detection cell 23, are mounted in
the machine 1, by being positioned downstream and directly at the
outlet of the press 2. This cell 23 monitors the blanks 6 coming
out and counts the blanks 6. The cell 23 identifies, on the
surface, the presence or the absence of blanks 6 coming out of the
press 2. The cell 23 generates and sends a count signal which is
transformed into a jam signal 24 if no blanks 6 come out.
[0050] Means for processing the jam signal 24, for example in the
form of a signal processing system 26 for controlling the
protection of the press 2, are provided in the machine 1 and in the
feeding station 4. The system 26 is able to generate stop signals
27, 28, 29 and 31.
[0051] The first stop signal 27 is intended for the infeed
arrangement 14 and comprises an instruction for an instantaneous
stop of the motor 22 of the roller 19. The second stop signal 28 is
intended for the feathering drive 11 and comprises an instruction
for the gradual stopping of the motor 17 of the feathering drive
11. The third stop signal 29 is intended for the loop control 13
and comprises an instruction for an instantaneous stop of the motor
18 of the satellite roller 13. The third stop signal 29 also
comprises an instruction to park the satellite roller 13 in an
out-of-the-way position. The fourth stop signal 31 is intended for
the machine 1 and comprises an instruction to stop all the units
comprised in the machine 1, and that are situated upstream and
downstream of the press 2 and of its feeding station 4.
[0052] The feeding station 4 preferably comprises means of
accumulation, in the form of a volume or of a storage 32 for
accommodating the remainder of the web 3, during the transitional
phase between the stopping of the infeed arrangement 14 and the
stopping of the feathering drive 11. The web 3 is inserted and is
placed in this storage 32 until the feathering drive 11 has
completely stopped. The storage 32 is arranged in the top portion
of the station 4. This storage 32 has an opening oriented downward
in the direction of the loop control 13 and of the feathering drive
11.
[0053] Mechanical protection means are provided at the feeding
station 4. These mechanical protection means take the form of
guidance means 33 and of barrier means 34.
[0054] The means 33 for guiding the web 3 toward the storage 32 are
advantageously provided and oriented upward so that the remainder
of the web 3 slides in the direction of the opening of the storage
32 and is then introduced into this storage 32. These means 33 take
the form of protection and guidance metal sheets.
[0055] The barrier means 34 for the web 3 are advantageously
provided and oriented so that the remainder of the web 3 does not
feed into other portions of the station 4. These barrier means 34
prevents the remainder of the web 3 from damaging the parts forming
the feeding station 4, and more particularly the loop control 13,
the pressing roller 12, and the feathering drive 11.
[0056] The method for protecting the press 2 against the jamming of
the web 3 according to the invention comprises several successive
steps. A first step, corresponding to the jam signal 24, consists
in detecting that no blanks 6 come out of the press 2, with the aid
of the cell 23, associated with the system for processing the
signal 26.
[0057] A second step, corresponding to the first stop signal 27,
consists in instantaneously stopping the motor 22 of the infeed
arrangement 14, so as to prevent any of the web 3 entering the
press 2. Then, the inside of the press 2 contains only the blanks 6
that have caused the jam. This jam is much easier to clear, because
the press 2 contains only cardboard that remains flat. With the
stopping of the motor 22 of the infeed arrangement 14, the press 2
is protected against any more web 3 arriving.
[0058] A third step, corresponding respectively to the second and
to the fourth stop signals 28 and 31, consists in gradually
stopping and slowing the motor 17 of the feathering drive 11 and in
simultaneously stopping the whole machine 1.
[0059] Advantageously the method comprises an additional step
consisting in calculating a waiting time between the step
consisting in stopping the motor 22 of the infeed arrangement 14
and the step consisting in stopping the motor 17 of the feathering
drive 11. This wait and hence the progression of the web 3 makes it
possible to gently stop the progression of the web 3 without
breaking this web 3. This wait also makes it possible to preserve
the mechanical parts of the press 2 and of the station 4.
[0060] An additional step, corresponding to the third stop signal
29, occurs at the same time as the step consisting in stopping the
motor 22 of the infeed arrangement 14 and before the step
consisting in stopping the motor 17 of the feathering drive 11.
This step consists in stopping the motor 18 of the loop control 13.
This step also consists in immediately placing the loop control
with its satellite roller 13 in a parking position.
[0061] In this position, the satellite roller 13 is on the left
(see the FIGURE), in the downstream position, against the barrier
means 34. This position protects on the one hand this same loop
control 13 against the web 3 that is arriving, when the motor 17 of
the feathering drive 11 is still running. On the other hand, this
position will help access to the web 3 at the bottom opening of the
storage 32.
[0062] The method comprises an additional step, occurring after the
step consisting in stopping the motor 22 of the infeed arrangement
14 and before the step consisting in stopping the motor 17 of the
feathering drive 11. This step consists in guiding the web 3 toward
the storage 32, when the motor 17 of the feathering drive 11 is
still running, with the appropriate protection, guidance and
barrier means 33 and 34.
[0063] By virtue of the invention, when the operator has extracted
the small jam of web 3 or of blanks 6 from the press 2 and when the
operator has emptied the storage 32 by taking out the web 3, the
restart of the machine 1 and of the press 2 will be very rapid.
[0064] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments
described and illustrated. Many modifications may be made
nevertheless without departing from the context defined by the
scope of the set of claims.
* * * * *