U.S. patent number 3,809,199 [Application Number 05/310,694] was granted by the patent office on 1974-05-07 for machine for fashioning the structures of flexible products, and products fashioned thereby.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Precision Mecanique Labinal. Invention is credited to Pierre Etienne Bessiere.
United States Patent |
3,809,199 |
Bessiere |
May 7, 1974 |
MACHINE FOR FASHIONING THE STRUCTURES OF FLEXIBLE PRODUCTS, AND
PRODUCTS FASHIONED THEREBY
Abstract
The machine is designed to produce pleated developable herring
bone structures, such as used as filter elements in the motor
industry. The machine includes first means for scoring longitudinal
fold lines on a band transversely spaced by the width of
half-chevron and for initiating folds about these lines to obtain
the chevron pattern, second means for producing transverse folding
lines to form the folds half-fold by half-fold and accentuate the
chevrons on each half-fold, third means for imparting the final
shape to the chevrons and formed by convergent differentially
moving rakes directed substantially longitudinally, and fourth
means for moving the fashioned structures out of the machine. The
starting material comprises two tapes initially wound on respective
reels and, as these two tapes pass through the machine, there is
interposed therein an endless supporting tape. A novel electrical
control arrangement is provided whereby the machine may be operated
in automatically repeated cycles, cycle by cycle, or operation by
operation.
Inventors: |
Bessiere; Pierre Etienne (Golf
Saint-nom-la-Breteche, FR) |
Assignee: |
Precision Mecanique Labinal
(Saint-Oune (Seine-Saint-Denis), FR)
|
Family
ID: |
23203707 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/310,694 |
Filed: |
November 30, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
493/357; 428/130;
493/30; 493/161; 493/403; 493/451; 493/941 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B31D
5/04 (20130101); Y10S 493/941 (20130101); Y10T
428/24264 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B31D
5/04 (20060101); B31D 5/00 (20060101); B31d
005/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;93/84,1C,1WZ
;270/86 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lake; Roy
Assistant Examiner: Jones; DeWalden W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McGlew and Tuttle
Claims
1. A machine for fashioning structures from flexible products, and
more particularly an automatic machine with an operating cycle
comprising several operations for fashioning developable pleated
chevron-pattern structures from at least one paper-band, including
first means for scoring longitudinal fold lines on the band
transversely spaced by the width of a half-chevron and for
initiating folds about these lines to obtain the chevron pattern,
said means being devised to drive the band towards the exit end of
the machine; second means for producing transverse folding lines
whereby to form the folds half-fold by half-fold and accentuate the
chevrons on each half-fold; third means for imparting their final
shape to the chevrons, which third means are formed by convergent
differentially moving rakes directed substantially longitudinally;
and fourth means for
2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said first means are
forming longitudinal fold lines on the band and initiating a
folding therealong, consist of a first pair of rollers formed with
matching ridges and grooves with an interval therebetween on each
roller equal to the width of a half-chevron and of other pairs of
rollers the surface of which is formed by symmetrical
frusto-conical portions coaxial with said rollers and of length
measured along the generatrix equal to said interval, said
frusto-conical portions being increasingly greater in number on
said
3. A machine according to claim 2 in which at least one pair of
rollers embodies a freewheel device and is rockable for the purpose
of driving the
4. A machine according to claim 2 in which said means, for
obtaining transverse folding lines whereby to form folds half-fold
by half-fold and accentuate the chevrons on each half-fold, consist
of two independent spade-like members rocking alternately about
transverse axes and each adapted to apply the bands against the
other rocking spade, and of non-rocking thrust spades, all the said
spades having a profile
5. A machine according to claim 1 in which said third means, for
imparting their final shape to said chevrons, means are convergent
differentially moving rakes arranged in two series positioned one
above and the other below the bands, each rake in one series
alternating with a rake in the
6. A machine according to claim 5, in which one part of the rakes
in each series thereof is devised to drive the bands towards the
output end of the machine by bearing against chevron-pattern lines
and the other part of the rakes is devised to restrain the bands by
bearing against chevron-pattern
7. A machine according to claim 1, in which mechanical members of
the means for forming the folds and chevrons are actuated by
fluid-operated jacks.
8. A machine according to claim 7, in which said mechanical members
are actuated from a common camshaft which drives pushrod members
each
9. A machine according to claim 7, in which said mechanical members
are directly actuated from independent cam-boxes to which a uniform
rotational
10. A machine according to claim 1, comprising a feed system
enabling it to operate in an intermittent cycle for fashioning
structures under low and constant tension from at least one
feedstock unit delivered by an associated unwinding element,
including;
a driving member for said unwinding element,
a coupling between said driving member and said unwinding
element,
means for controlling said coupling according to the quantity of
feedstock already delivered by said unwinding element but not yet
absorbed by the machine, said last-named means consisting of a
pulley over which the feedstock unit runs before being absorbed by
the machine and the axle of which is movable to operate contacts
for controlling said coupling; and
conveyor means synchronized with first fashioning tools of the
machine, which also draw in the feedstock, said conveyor means
being located
11. A machine according to claim 10 comprising a feed system for
fashioning structures from at least one feedstock unit and a
supporting tape adapted to facilitate the driving and fashioning of
said unit, in which:
each feedstock unit and the supporting tape are supplied to the
machine by individual said feed systems, the conveyor means of the
feed systems being common to all the systems;
means for regulating the tension in the supporting tape provided at
the
12. A machine according to claim 11, in which the means for
regulating the
13. A machine according to claim 10, in which the conveyor means
synchronized with said first tools of the machine are formed by two
rollers supported for freewheel motion on a rocking arm and between
which extends the feedstock unit of the composite formed by the
feedstock units and the supporting tape, said rollers being
prevented from rotating in the direction tending to drive said
units towards the input end of the
14. A machine according to claim 10, in which the driving member
for the unwinding elements is a pulley continuously rotated by an
auxiliary motor.
15. A machine according to claim 10 comprising control means of the
couplings positioned between the driving members and the unwinding
elements and formed by a pulley having its axle movable whereby to
operate control contacts, characterized by the fact that the
pulley, when in one position, causes rotation of the unwinding
element and, when in another
16. A machine according to claim 15, in which when in one limit
position,
17. A machine according to claim 10, in which the material supplied
to the machine by the conveyor means is a laminated sandwich formed
by at least
18. A machine according to claim 12, in which the supporting tape
is endless, its unwinding element is a recycling pulley and the
regulating pulley-block is positioned between the output end of the
machine and the
19. A machine according to claim 1, in which that control and
signalling means are provided by associating to each of the
operations in the cycle a relay circuit devised so that the relay
corresponding to a specific operation controls at once closure of a
signalling circuit indicating that the operation has been
commanded, opening of the relay circuit corresponding to the
previous operation, closure of a circuit for preparing the next
operation and closure of a circuit for controlling the
20. A machine according to claim 12, in which the relay circuits
are devised so that operation can take place in automatically
repeated cycles,
21. A machine according to claim 19, in which each relay circuit
comprises in series a relay, at least one limit switch closed by
the actuator member that was activated during the previous
operation, and two parallel-connected branches the first of which
includes in series a first contact that is closed when the relay is
energized and a second contact that is opened when the relay of the
relay circuit corresponding to the next operation is energized, and
the second of which comprises a contact that is closed when the
relay of the relay circuit corresponding to the
22. A machine according to claim 21, in which the second branch of
the relay circuit associated to the first operation includes, in
series with the contact of that branch, a second normally-closed
contact that is
23. A machine according to claim 19, in which the relay circuits
are
24. A machine according to claim 20, in which the electrical means
for operation in the automatically repeated cycles mode are formed
by a control circuit comprising a relay and a control pushbutton
therefor, which relay is adapted to activate its self-energizing
contact and cause energization of the relay of a relay circuit,
which is the circuit associated to the first operation in the
cycle, through closure of the
25. A machine according to claim 20, in which the electrical means
for operation in the cycle-by-cycle mode are formed by a
normally-open pushbutton parallel-connected to the two branches of
the relay circuit
26. A machine according to claim 20, in which the electrical means
for operation in operation-by-operation mode are formed by a manual
rotary selector adapted to energize successively and in the
necessary order that portion of the relay circuits which, for each
relay circuit, is formed by
27. A machine according to claim 24, in which a normally-closed
contact series-connected to the contact of the second branch can be
opened when the relay of the relay circuit corresponding to the
next operation is
28. Developable pleated chevron-pattern structures, and more
particularly filter elements for automobile applications, fashioned
from paper bands by a machine according to claim 1.
Description
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to automatic machines and more particularly
to machines the operating cycle of which includes several
operations carried out by the motions of mechanical members
actuated by mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic means.
The invention relates most notably, since its most useful
application would appear to lie therein, to those of such automatic
machines which permit continuously fashioning the structures of
pleated and/or herringbone-pattern developable flexible products
usable as filter elements in the motor industry, for example.
The invention further relates to the structures fashioned by the
automatic machines described herein.
Such structures are obtained from a flexible product, such as a
band of treated paper or the like, and consist of a succession of
accordion-type transverse pleats, each such pleat in turn embodying
a herringbone pattern (or chevrons) along its entire length.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of this invention to render such automatic
machines, and those used for producing pleated structures in
particular, such that they satisfy better than heretofore the
different requirements encountered in practice.
The invention consists principally, more particularly in an
automatic machine for continuously obtaining pleated developable
herringbone structures, in providing first means for producing
longitudinally, on the band, fold lines spaced transversely by the
width of one half-chevron and for initiating a bending about these
lines whereby to obtain the chevron pattern, this first means being
so devised as to drive the band towards the output end of the
machine; second means for producing transverse fold lines whereby
to form the folds half-fold by half-fold and accentuate the
chevrons on each half-fold; third means for imparting their final
shape to the chevrons, which third means consist of rakes having
convergent differential motions in a substantially longitudinal
direction; and fourth means for carrying the fashionned structures
to the exterior.
The invention relates more particularly still to feed systems for
such machines for discontinuously producing strip material in the
form of pleated structures for making filter elements and
automobile filters in particular.
In such machines the feedstock is supplied in the form of a paper
band or the like, off a spool on which the paper is wound. Because
of its inertia, the spool is not rotated by the band itself (as
this could cause it to slip inside the machine, or to break) but by
its own driving mechanism. However, because the production rate,
particularly in an intermittently operating machine, may vary for
different reasons, the rate at which the machine is fed with strip
material must not be constant. Added to this is the fact that, for
a given linear transfer speed of the band, the spool must rotate
faster and faster as it pays it out.
Hence in a machine for fashioning at least one feedstock unit
supplied by an associated pay-out or feed unit (such as a spool, a
pulley or the like), the present invention further includes the
provision of a prime mover for the pay-out or feed unit, and a
coupling between the prime mover and the unit and means for
actuating the doupling according to the quantity of material
already supplied by the unit but not yet absorbed by the machine,
which means consist of at least one pulley over which the material
runs before it is absorbed by the machine and the shaft of which is
movable whereby to operate electrical contacts controlling the
coupling. There are likewise provided conveyor means synchronized
with the first tools of the machine, adapted to draw the material
and positioned between the coupling actuating means and the tools
thereby to entrain the material towards the tools, whereby the
material is fashioned by the tools under light and constant
tension.
In addition to this principal particularity, the invention includes
a number of other particularities which are preferably used
together with the principal particularity and to which more
explicit reference will be made hereinafter, and most notably a
second particularity applicable in cases where the machine has fed
into it simultaneously at least one unit of feedstock material and
at least one supporting tape or the like designed to facilitate
entrainment and/or fashioning of the material, characterized by the
provision, between the output end of the machine and a prime mover
for storing or recycling the tape means for regulating the tension
of the tape at the output end, whereby the feedstock unit is drawn
out of the machine under the urge of the tape.
The invention further includes control (and signalling) means which
associate to each operation in the cycle a relay circuit so devised
that the relay associated to a specific operation controls at the
same time the closure of a signalling circuit indicating that the
operation has been initiated, the opening of the circuit belonging
to the relay associated to the previous operation, the closure of a
circuit controlling the moving elements which perform the desired
operation and the closure of a circuit for preparing the next
operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The description which follows with reference to the accompanying
non-limitative exemplary drawings will give a clear understanding
of how the invention can be carried into practice. In the drawings,
FIG. 1 is a general illustration of a machine according to the
invention for obtaining the structures of developable pleated
and/or herringbone-pattern flexible products;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view detailing the essential component
parts of the machine in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 2a to 2d are alternative embodiments of means for controlling
the component parts in FIG. 2;
FIG. 3 is a plan view with partial cutaway of a first work station
of the machine;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view in a partial section of a component
part of the station shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view in partial section of three other
work-stations;
FIG. 6 is a plan view in partial section of the work-stations shown
in FIG. 5;
The nine parts a through i of FIG. 7 schematically illustrate the
nine stages in the formation of the herringbone pleats produced by
a machine according to this invention;
FIG. 8 is an overall view of a feed system according to the
invention, designed more specifically for an intermittent-cycle
machine;
FIG. 9 shows on an enlarged scale the pay-out means for the feed
system shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is the electrical wiring diagram for the control (and
signalling) circuit according to this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1, the pleated structures 1 shown therein
are obtained from one or more bands 2 of a flexible material such
as treated paper or the like which lends itself readily to folding,
a tape 3 of flexible material which lends itself to warping being
inserted between bands 1 and 2. The bands 2 are wound respectively
onto pay-out spools 4, the tape 3 being an endless tape capable of
being recycled, upon exit from the machine, via pulleys 5, 6 and a
pulley-block 5a for adjusting the tension of tape 3.
The system for feeding the machine with bands 2 and tape 3 is
formed by interposing, between a pulley 7 for receiving the
superimposed bands 2 and tape 3 and each spool 4 or pulley 6,
automatic regulating means consisting of a pulley 8 the spindle of
which moves as a function of the band or tape length between pulley
7 and the spool or pulley, and this regulating means controls,
through appropriately adapted means, the rotation of the spool or
pulleys when the length is inadequate. This rotation is obtained by
means, say, of couplings 9 each of which is associated to one of
the spools 4 or pulleys 6 and controlled by the pulley 8 over which
the band or tape runs.
Upon exit from the machine, the structures 1 are guided through
ducts 10, the upper duct being laterally offset in order to enable
the tape 3 to be turned back more easily for recycling.
The sandwich-forming superimposed bands 2 and tape 3 run between
the take-up pulley and the ducts 10 into work-stations 11, 12, 13
which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6.
Schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 are the various machine
components for forming the pleats and chevrons. The bands and tapes
(not shown) run leftwardly, in succession, through several pairs of
pre-forming rollers 14 to 18 which make up the station 11. The
rollers 18 are mounted for rocking motion on a lever 19 actuated by
a jack 20 and are provided with means for entraining the sandwich
2, 3 leftwardly in intermittent fashion. These rollers gradually
score on the sandwich 2, 3 longitudinal lines used later to
obtained the herringbone pattern.
Work-station 12 (FIG. 2) is composed of two independent pivoting
pade-like members 21, two independent stationary spades 22, rakes
23 extending in a substantially longitudinal direction and racks 24
co-extensive longitudinally on either side of the sandwich. The
spades 21 and 22 are adapted to fashion the transverse pleats and
initiate the chevron by squeezing the sandwich between them. The
purpose of the rakes 23 is to impart the final configuration to the
chevrons. The racks 24 are adapted to discharge the completed
structures from the machine.
The work-station 12 may be jack-operated. Two jacks 25 control the
rocking motion of respective spades 21 and are mounted on
respective supports 26, on each of which is supported a spade 21, a
spade 22 and a series of rakes 23. Each support 26 is vertically
actuated by a respective jack 27 mounted on a respective sliding
support 28. In turn, each support 28 is longitudinally actuated by
a respective jack 29 mounted on the first frame 30 of the machine.
The racks 24 are actuated by a jack 31.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show the component parts of station 11 on an enlarged
scale. The rollers 14, 15, 16 and 17 are freely rotatable on fixed
supports 32. The first pair of rollers is formed, on the one hand,
by a roller 14 having circumferential scoring ridges 33 axially
spaced by an interval equal to the width of the chevrons to be
obtained and, on the other hand, by a second roller 14 having
grooves 34 to match the ridges 33.
The three pairs of rollers 15, 16, 17 serve to gradually generate a
preliminary shaping of the chevron and are accordingly formed with
axial symmetrical frusto-conical portions 35, 36 the number of
which increases as the sandwich 2,3 transits from rollers 15 to
rollers 17. The upper rollers 15, 16, 17 comprise one, three and
five frusto-conical portions 35 respectively, and as many
frustoconical portions 36. The lower rollers 15, 16, 17 comprise
the same number of frusto-conical portions 35, 36 as the upper
rollers.
The two rollers 18 are of the same type as rollers 15, 16, 17 and
may have eight frusto-conical portions 35 and as many
frusto-conical portions 36. The portions 35, 36 on rollers 15 to 18
have dimensions such that their circular edges contact the
longitudinal scoring lines formed on sandwich 2, 3 by the ridges 33
and grooves 34 on rollers 14. The final stage of this set of
rollers is devised so as to entrain the sandwich 2, 3 leftwardly in
synchronism with the motion of rocking spades 21, whereby the
resistance of rollers 14 to 17 to the forward motion of sandwich 2,
3 is overcome and all excessive downstream tension is avoided.
Preferably, the resistance is adjustable according to the nature of
the material used, for instance according to its thickness. Such
adjustment is likewise possible on the rollers 18. To this end,
spring means for restoring the rollers into mutual contact are
provided. As shown in FIG. 4, these means include, for at least one
roller in each pair thereof and at each of its ends, an adjustment
screw 37 bearing against a spring 38 which applies a rod 39 against
a shaft 40 supporting the roller. Spring 38 is prestressed and,
depending on the position of screw 37, applies the two rollers
against each other with an adjustable force.
The sandwich is entrained by the rollers 18 by means of a freewheel
system 41 (FIG. 3) which allows the rollers 18 to rotate only in
the directions of arrows A and A', and by means of lever 19
operated by jack 20. Lever 19 is pivotable about a shaft 42. When
jack 20 operates lever 19 rightwardly, the rollers 18 roll over the
sandwich and effect preliminary shaping of the chevrons, the
sandwich being kept in place by virtue of its tension. The jack
then moves lever 19 leftwardly and the freewheel system drives the
sandwich leftwardly. An adjustable stop 43 limits the forward
motion of lever 19.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate work-station 12 when the sandwich has had
its final shape imparted to it. At this station, each rocking space
21 is fixedly supported by screws 44 on an arm 45 pivotally
connected to the end of the rod 25a of a jack 25. A link 46
pivotally connected at 47 to the corresponding support 26 is
pivotally connected at 48 to arm 45. The longitudinal motion of
jack rods 25a thus gives rise to a rocking motion of the spades 21,
which motion is composed of the rotation of arm 45 about point 47.
Each spade 22 is fixedly supported on the corresponding support 26
by screws 49. The two faces of each spade 21 are profiled so as to
have a plurality of flat rectangular facets of the same width as
the width of the frusto-conical portions 35, 36 of rollers 15 to 18
as measured on the generatrix. The two faces of spades 22 have the
same profile as the faces of spades 21, thereby to ensure that the
sandwich can be squeezed between an upper spade and a lower spade
over the entire width of the latter and that the chevron pattern
initiated by the rollers can be continued. As shown in FIG. 5, the
edges of spades 21 define transverse fold lines on the sandwich and
fold it.
Work-station 12 further includes the rakes 23 arranged as an upper
series and a lower series thereof. The rakes in each series are
supported in a respective one of the two supports 26 by a head 50
and converge towards the exit end of the machine (FIG. 6). Each
rake 23 is formed with evenly spaced teeth 51. The rakes are
positioned in pairs (one rake from each series) in the same
vertical plane and are mutually staggered so that the teeth of one
rake are positioned between the teeth of the other. In each series,
alternate rakes are rigidly mounted in the support 26 (as shown in
respect of upper rake 23a in FIG. 5) whereas the other rake (23b)
bears elastically at the rear against a spring stop 52. The
portions of rakes 23b directed towards the output end of the
machine may bear against adjustable stops 53 which are fixedly
carried on the machine and limit or interdict longitudinal movement
of rakes 23b. Conversely, the rakes 23a are devoid of such stops
and are fast with the supports 26. Thus, rakes 23 of the same
series are possessed of a differential motion which, as will be
explained hereinafter, allows accentuating the chevron pattern of
the folds produced by spades 21, 22.
Each support 26 (on which are mounted two spades 21, 22 and a
series of rakes 23) is slidable vertically responsively to a jack
27 and is guided by columns 54 (see also FIG. 2).
Each shaping set (spades and rakes) is movable longitudinally with
its support 28 responsively to the associated jack 29 (not shown on
FIGS. 5 and 6) mounted on its fixed support 30 (FIG. 6).
Carried on the support 30 above and below each rack 24 are
restraining teeth 55 directed towards the output end of the machine
and intended to prevent the sandwich from backing, as will be
explained hereinafter.
The station 13 is a station for thermally treating the bands 2 and
will not be described herein.
Operation of the machine for shaping the folds, as described
hereinabove, will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings and more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 7. FIG.
7 illustrates the nine stages in the formation of the structures 1,
and the arrows thereon indicate the direction of motion of the
component parts.
At the start of the cycle the spades 21 and 22 are closed against
one another, have engaged the sandwich and are in their limit
leftward position, and the racks 24 and the rollers 18 are in the
leftward positions. The first operation (FIG. 7a) consists in
causing upper support 26 (upper spades 21, 22 and upper rakes 23)
to be raised by the upper jack 27 and the rollers 18 to be moved
rightwardly by jack 20 in sliding motion over the sandwich. During
the second stage (FIG. 7b) upper support 26 is moved rightwardly by
upper jack 29 and the upper spade 21 is rocked upwardly by upper
jack 25. During the third phase (FIG. 7c) the upper support 26 is
lowered onto the sandwich by upper jack 27. During the fourth stage
(FIG. 7d), the upper spade 21 descends and the rollers 18 move the
sandwich leftwardly (jack 20) thus obviating the need for spade 21
to have to pull the sandwich itself after overcoming the resistance
due to the pre-shaping rollers and the pulleys 8, the axial
displacement of the rollers being equal to the length of the folded
sandwich. Further, the racks 24 are moved rightwardly by jack 31
and, during this motion, the teeth 55 prevent the sandwich from
drawing back responsively to the racks. During the fifth stage
(FIG. 7e), the rollers 18 are moved rightwardly by the jack 20 and
the lower support 26 (lower spades and rakes) is lowered. During
the sixth stage (FIG. 7f), the lower support 26 is moved
rightwardly by lower jack 29 and the lower spade 21 is rocked
downwardly by lower jack 25. During the seventh stage (FIG. 7g),
the lower support 26 is returned upwardly by lower jack 27. During
the eighth stage (FIG. 7h) the lower spade 21 is rocked upwardly by
lower jack 25 to form a half-fold, at the same time as the rollers
18 are moved leftwardly by jack 20. Lastly, during the ninth stage
(FIG. 7i) the two supports 26 are moved back leftwardly by jack 29
and entrain the sandwich along the width of a fold, and at the same
time the racks 24 are moved leftwardly by jack 31. In the course of
this latter motion, the teeth 24a of racks 24 grip the edges of the
sandwich (FIG. 6). At the end of the cycle a complete fold has thus
been formed by the motions of the four spades. 21, 22.
Upon exit from the spades 21, 22 the folds have been formed but the
chevrons have barely been initiated. As shown in FIG. 6 in the case
of the rakes in the upper series thereof, the teeth 51 of rakes 23a
(when the latter have descended) engage between two folds and more
specifically in areas 155 where the chevron-forming facets converge
towards the output end of the machine. Conversely the teeth 51 of
rakes 23b engage in areas 156 where the chevron-forming facets
converge towards the input end of the machine. During the ninth
stage in the fold-forming cycle (FIG. 7i), all the rakes are urged
leftwardly by their supports 26, and, whereas the rakes 23a effect
full travel, the rakes 23b abut at 53 and are halted. As a result,
the rakes 23a exert on the sandwich, and more specifically on the
chevron crests 157, a thrust towards the exit end, whereas the
rakes 23b, cause the band to be restrained by the rear edges of the
areas 156. This differential action by the rakes 23a, 23b in the
same set thereof accentuates the chevrons, causing them to assume
their final shape. At the same time, the sandwich narrows in width
and, to obtain this effect, convergent lateral guides 158 are
provided on the fixed support 30 to compensate for the reduction in
width of the sandwich. At each cycle, the rakes in the same set
thereof move longitudinally through a distance equal to one
fold-pitch. On exit from rakes 23 to the chevron retain their shape
by virtue of the lateral guides formed by the racks 24, but their
spacing is increased by a shift of the upper racks equal to the
pitch of the chevron folds, as shown in FIG. 6.
Whereas in the embodiment hereinbefore described with respect to
operation of the mechanical components for fashioning the chevron
folds, recourse is had to fluid-control, it is to be understood
that any other convenient means may be used. For instance, as shown
in FIGS. 2a and 2b, recourse may be had to purely mechanical means
such as a central camshaft 81 rotating at constant speed and
carrying cams 82 each of which is associated to one or more
mechanical fold-forming members. Each cam 82 cooperates with a
follower 83 carried on a pushrod 84. Each pushrod 84 transmits its
motion directly to a movable element supported directly on the
frame 30, examples being the supports 28 or the racks 24. This
motion is transmitted mechanically in any convenient manner, such
as by transmission means 85 carrying an end stud 86 cooperating
with an oblique ramp 87 supported by a movable element 28, 24 (FIG.
2a).
Considering next the motions of the moving parts supported in turn
by the movable elements (such as the moving parts 26 carried by the
movable supports 28), these are transmitted through the agency of
lateral flanges 88 used as tracks along which followers 89 fast
with pushrod 84 roll on either side (FIG. 2b). This system permits
positively actuating these elements irrespective of the position of
the movable supporting members. The tracks associated to the
several supports 26 would be horizontal, whereas the tracks
associated to the movable members 25a which actuate the spades 21
and are carried by the same supports 26 would be vertical. In the
cases of the members 25a the profiles of the actuating cams would
be determined by the composition of the two motions of the supports
26.
Illustrated in FIG. 2c is an alternative embodiment for controlling
the mechanical means. A shaft 91 rotating at constant speed rotates
flexible transmission means 92 via drive connections 91. These
flexible transmission means carry a terminal cam 94. For exemplary
purposes, such a control system is illustrated in respect of upper
support 26. The cam 94 drives a follower 127b carried a rod 127a
which actuates upper support 26. Clearly, such a control system may
be applied likewise to the other mechanical components.
As shown in FIG. 2d, the camshaft 81 (FIGS. 2a and 2b) and the
pushrod 84 may be associated to a hydraulic transmission system. To
this end, two cams 82 are provided for each movable element to be
actuated. Each associated pushrod 84 carries a piston-rod 95 of a
piston movable in a cylinder 96, each cylinder being connected to
one chamber of a jack 97 whose rod 98 directly actuates a movable
element in both directions, such as an element 24, 26, or 28.
As shown in the alternative embodiments in FIGS. 2a 2b, 2c and 2d,
it is accordingly possible to actuate the foldforming mechanical
elements either by purely mechanical means or combined mechanical
and hydraulic means.
If use is made of fluid-jacks not governed by a mechanical master
unit, they may controlled in different ways. For instance fully
pneumatic control may be utilized with the aid of pneumatic logic
cells from which a signal announcing the end of an operation
triggers the next operation either by being converted into an
electrical signal activating an electrically operated jack valve or
by being amplified for directly controlling the intake of fluid
into the jack.
Alternatively, combined electrical and fluid operation may be
utilized through the agency of a cam-type controller or of a
stepwise operating device activated by the limit switches.
However, it is preferable to use an electric circuit with relays in
view of its endurance.
Whereby, and irrespective of the form of embodiment adopted, it is
possible to devise an automatic machine more specifically for
producing developable herringbone-pattern pleated structures, the
description and manner of operation and utilization of which have
been given hereinabove and which offers various advantages,
including the followings;
an invariably low working tension for the bands, thereby avoiding
any risk of tearing;
the existence of an intermediate tape 3, enabling the structures 1
to be withdrawn from the machine easily without having to pull
them;
the use of a linkage system for rocking the spades 21, thereby
enabling the same elements to be used irrespective of the depth
required for the pleats;
the use of a plurality of rollers 14 to 18 to gradually form the
chevrons without distending the tape widthwise;
the universality of the machine, since the latter will adapt
readily to all types of developable structures (differing in width
or in geometry of their folds or their chevrons) and merely
requires changing the elements which contact the sandwich directly
(rollers, spades, rakes and possibly the racks) and possibly
modifying the stroke of the jack pistons or the travel imparted by
the cams.
The following or a similar procedure may be adopted for the purpose
of providing a feed system for the machine.
Considering firstly the machine 101 it includes a take-up pulley
105 for the bands 103, 104, work-stations 106 for producing the
structures, a control and monitoring station 107, output ducts 108
for the structures 102 and an output pulley 109 for the
intermediate tape 104. The bands 103 are supplied from spools 110
fixedly supported on rotation spindles 111 and the intermediate
tape 104 is supplied from a driving pulley 113.
In accordance with a first teaching of the invention, driving means
are provided for the spools 110 and the pulley 113, which means
consist of a motor 114 (FIG. 9) which through an endless belt 115
drives three pulleys 116, 117, 118 in the direction shown by the
arrows A. Each of these pulleys is fast with the driving portion
118a, 119a, of a coupling 118, 119 the other portion 118b, 119b of
which (FIG. 8) is fast with the spindles 111 of the spools 110 and
the pulley 113.
The bands 103 upon issuing from the spools 110, and the
intermediate tape 104 upon issuing from the pulley 113, run over
respective first intermediate pulleys 120 (FIG. 8) and then over
respective second pulleys 121 each having its spindle fast with a
respective arm 122 (FIG. 9) which is pivotally connected to an axle
123 and possibly subjected to the action of a lightening spring.
Each arm 122 carries a contact stud 124 adapted to operate four
contacts 125, 126, 127, 128, of which contacts 125, 126 control the
rotation of a spool 110 or of a pulley 113 and contacts 127, 128
are safety contacts. Although only one set of contacts is shown in
the drawing, two further identical sets are obviously provided for
the other two arms 122.
The electrical connections (not shown on FIGS. 7 and 8) for
contacts 125, 126, 127, 128 are as follows: contact 125 is
connected to upper coupling 118 to control the rotation of the
upper spool 110 in the direction of arrow B, contact 126 is
connected to the same coupling for the purpose of stopping its
rotation, and contacts 127 and 128 control complete stoppage of the
machine. The same applies to the other two sets of contacts
associated respectively to pulley 113 and to the other spool
110.
In accordance with a second teaching of the invention, there is
provided, between the take-up pulley 105 of sandwich 103, 104 and
the first fashioning tools (not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) that draw
the sandwich into the machine, conveyor means synchronized with the
tools and adapted to prevent excessive tensioning of the sandwich
and hence of the bands 103 between spools 110 and pulley 113, on
the one hand, and said first tools on the other. These means may be
devised in any convenient manner and, in the event that the tools
draw the sandwich 103, 104 intermittently, recourse is had to means
for likewise entraining the sandwich intermittently and in
synchronism with the tools. In the illustrated embodiment (FIG. 8),
these means are formed by two rollers 129 between which the
sandwich 103, 104 extends and which are supported for freewheel
motion on an arm 130 capable of rocking about a horizontal spindle
131. The freewheel system is so mounted that the rollers 129
entrain the sandwich 103, 104 leftwardly when arm 130 rocks
leftwardly.
The rollers 129 may possibly be disposed among the tools for
fashioning the sandwich 103, 104 provided that those of the tools
which are located between the rollers 129 and the pulley 105 exert
no excessive tension on the sandwich in operation.
Thus, the provision of these conveyor means avoids the need for the
tools to have to pull the sandwich 103, 104 into the machine
themselves, since this could cause tearing of the sandwich if the
tools have sharp edges. Instead, the sandwich, which is entrained
without difficulty by the conveyor means, is fashioned by the tools
at low and constant tension.
In accordance with a third teaching of the invention, there is
provided, between the pulley 109 for taking up the supporting tape
104 when it exits from machine 101 and a means for storing or
recycling the tape, means for regulating the tape tension adapted
to assist in discharging the sandwich 103, 104 at low tension.
Depending on the available height, these means may consist of a
single or double sheave pulley-block 132. In FIG. 8 this
pulley-block includes a burden 133 and two pulleys 134. The burden
133 is a cylinder resting on the length of tape 104 available
between pulleys 134. As it bears on the tape 104, the burden 133
produces therein a constant tension throughout the length included
between pulley 109 and first pulley 134.
In the illustrated embodiment (FIG. 8) the tape 104 is of the
endless type and is recycled on exit from the machine. After the
second pulley 134, tape 104 runs over two intermediate pulleys 112
and then over driving pulley 113. In order to allow tape 104 to be
returned backwards easily, upper duct 108 is offset laterally.
This being so, operation of a feed system according to this
invention is as follows. Motor 114 is started up and drives pulleys
116, 117 in the direction of arrows A. For the purpose of
fashioning the bands, the machine 101 uniformly absorbs the three
superimposed thicknesses of bands 103 and tape 104 supplied to it
synchronously by the rollers 129. If it is assumed that the arms
122 initially occupy the position shown in FIG. 9, the spool 110
and the pulley 113 will be motionless (contacts 125 inoperative)
and the length of band and tape between pulley 105, on the one
hand, and spools 110 and pulley 113, on the other decreases. Hence
each arm 122 rocks upwardly (arrow C, FIG. 9) until its stud 124
operates the contact 125 and thereby causes the spool 110 or the
corresponding pulley 113 to be rotated by the coupling 118 or 119.
Preferably, rotation is such that the linear pay-out speed is at
least equal to the average speed at which the band and the tape
enter the first station 106. Once rotation has been triggered, arms
122 rock in the direction of arrows D (FIG. 9) under the effect of
their own weight, the weight of pulleys 121, and the force of a
possible return spring for arm 122, whereby the band 103 and the
tape 104 are tensioned. This rocking motion ceases when the studs
124 operate the contacts 126 and thereby arrest rotation of spools
110 and pulley 113. Arms 122 gradually rise again as the tape is
entrained into the machine, and the cycle recommences. Thus the
bands 103 and the tape 104 are supplied to machine 101 at a low
tension which is determined by the effect of the weight of pulleys
121 and of arms 122 and the restoring force of a possible spring
exerted on arms 122.
It will be noted that when pulley 113 is motionless, the
pulley-block 132 absorbs the output of intermediate tape 104 by
reason of the descent of burden 133, thereby ensuring constant
tension in the tape, whereas when pulley 113 is driven the burden
133 rises at the same time as central pulley 121 descends. When it
leaves the machine, the sandwich 103, 104 of each structure 102
passes through a duct 108, and the tape 104 under tension unfolds
and resumes its initial flat shape at the same time as it carries
the structures 102 outwards without having to pull on them. Because
tape 104 is endless, the stop-start cycle of pulley 113 is
substantially even.
In contrast, as the spools 110 unwind, the linear pay-out speed of
bands 103 when the spools 110 rotate decreases for a given machine
feed rate. Hence the spools 110 rotate for increasingly longer
periods of time. The minimum angular velocity to be imparted to
spools 110 and hence to pulleys 116 must be such that the linear
speed at which the bands 103 are paid out is equal to the rate of
absorption by the machine.
Should one of the contacts 125 fail to trigger immediate rotation
of the spool 110 or of the corresponding pulley 113 for any reason,
then the corresponding arm 122 will continue to pivot in the
direction of arrow C responsively to the tension in the rape until
its stud 124 operates the corresponding safety contact 127 and
stops the machine 101. A contact 127 may be operated likewise when
a band 103 has been fully unwound and its end is restrained by the
hub of its spool 110. Safety contacts 128, which likewise arrest
the machine are operated either when a band (or tape) breaks or if
the ends of the band are not restrained by the spool hubs when the
spools are emptied.
Thereby, and irrespective of the form of embodiment adopted, it is
possible to devise a feed system for a machine, notably an
intermittently running machine, the operating principle of which
system has been described hereinabove and which offers various
advantages, and the following in particular:
it supplies feedstock to the machine from high-inertia storage
units without the need to use the feedstock for operating said
storage units directly;
it feeds the machine synchronously, the feedstock being thus
fashioned under low and constant tension; 201
it discharges the fashioned structures without the need to exert a
pull on them.
It should be noted that the tape 104 may alternatively not be of
the endless type but paid out (like the bands 103) from a spool, in
which case the tape would upon exit from the machine be wound onto
another spool the rotation of which would be controlled according
to the position of burden 133.
The following provisions may be made for controlling the
above-described system. In the diagram shown in FIG. 10, each
operation in the machine cycle has an associated circuit designated
by a suffix letter a, b, c . . . n, assigned to each of its
components. Each circuit energizes a relay which effects the
signalling as well as the control functions in the operation. This
is most important in an automatic continuous-cycle machine since,
in the event of a failure, it allows determining during what cycle
operation the failure occured.
Each circuit for energizing the relays 201a, 201b . . . 201n
includes at least one contact 202a, 202b . . . 202n which is closed
by a pushrod 203a, 203b . . . 203n, and each pushrod is actuated by
the machine component that effects the operation preceding the one
controlled by closure of the relay circuit, such pushrod actuation
being preferably effected at the end of travel of said component.
Thus contact 202a of relay 201a controlling operation a is closed
by the pushrod 203n that is actuated, at the end of its travel, by
the component effecting operation n. Similarly, contact 202b of
relay 201b is closed by pushrod 203a, and so automatically, each
operation being initiated by completion of the previous operation.
In some cases it may be necessary to slave a relay circuit to
completion of several previous operations, in which case the
circuit may comprise a plurality of series-connected contacts 202
each operated by a pushrod that is actuated by a specific
operation. Such an arrangement is shown in the case of relay
circuits a, c, g, for example.
One of the terminals of each contact 202a, 202b . . . 202n is
electrically connected to a common supply 204 through relays 201a,
201b . . . 201n. The other terminal is connected to a circuit
comprising two branches, a control branch for the corresponding
relay and a branch for self-energization of the same relay. The
control branch includes a normally-open contact 205 and the other
branch a first normally-closed contact 206 and a second
normally-open contact 207. Connected into contact branch 205a of
the first relay circuit is a normally-closed contact 208 in series
with contact 205a and operated by relay 201b. These
parallel-connected circuits have their common outputs connected to
a contact stud 209 of a rotary selector 210 having (n+1) positions
if there are n operations in all.
Provided on each relay circuit, between the limit switch or
switches and the two-branch parallel circuit, is a terminal
connected to one of the other contact studs 209a, 209b . . . 209n,
arranged in that order inside a selector 210. The central contact
stud of the selector is connected to the other terminal 240 of the
voltage supply source through a master switch 211.
Connected in parallel to the circuit having as its terminations the
central selector stud and the common output from relays 102 are the
following:
a signalling circuit 212 controlled by a switch 213, each branch of
which includes in series a normally-open contact 214 and a
signalling lamp 215;
a control circuit 216 for the actuators 218b, 218a . . . 218n
effecting the respective operations, which circuit comprises at
least n parallel-connected branches each consisting of a
normally-open contact 217 and an electrically-operated
actuator;
and an automatic operation activating branch 219 comprising in
series a normally-closed manual pushbutton 220, a relay 221 and two
parallel-connected contacts 222, 223, of which contact 223 is the
contact for self-energizing relay 221 and the contact 222 is a
normally-open manual pushbutton for energizing relay 221.
Finally, parallel-connected to contact 205a and 208 of the first
relay circuit is a normally-open manual pushbutton 224 for
activation of the cycle.
Shown in dot-dash lines in the case of relay 201c are the actions
of the latter on those of the contacts in the electric circuit
diagram which it controls. When relay 201c is energized it causes
the following:
closure of contact 214c and consequent lighting of lamp 214c;
opening of contact 206b, thereby cutting off the supply current to
the relay controlling the previous operation b;
closure of the self-energization contact 207c of the relay;
closure of contact 205d ready for energization of the relay 201d
controlling the next operation d;
and closure of the contact controlling activation of actuator 218c
associated to the third operation c.
The same applies to the other relays. It will be noted in
particular that a relay operates the contacts belonging to the
relay circuits associated to the previous and subsequent
operations. Hence a special circuitry must be provided for the
relays of the terminal operations of the cycle.
This circuitry must be such as to permit either fully automatic
operation or cycle-by-cycle semi-automatic operation. To this end,
relay 201a upon being energized opens the contact 206n of the last
circuit and its other actions are similar to those of relays 201a
to 201n. As for relay 201n, it has no action on the contact 205a of
the first relay circuit, which is caused to be controlled by relay
221 (the line of action is shown in dot-dash lines).
This being so, the principle of operation of this electrical
system, as associated to an automatic machine, will now be
described with reference to FIG. 10.
For operation in the automatic mode, master switch 211 is closed,
selector 210 is moved to position 209 and the push-button 221
controlling relay 221 is depressed. The latter is then energized
and remains so by virtue so its self-energization contact 223,
which it closes. Throughout operation in the automatic mode, this
relay will remain energized. It closes contact 205a which activates
relay 201a associated to the first operation. This contact will
also remain closed throughout operation in the automatic mode. At
the start of the cycle, pushrods 203n are in their positions
corresponding to the end of the previous operation, hence the
contacts 202a are closed. Relay 201a is thus energized via the
circuits 240, 211, 225, 209, 205a, 202a, 204 and therefore
causes:
initiation of the first operation by closing the contact 217a
activating actuator 218a;
lighting of the lamp 215a indicating that the first operation has
been activated;
opening of contact 206n of the self-energization branch of relay
201n (the latter being already de-energized since a cycle is
beginning);
self-energization of relay 201a by closure of contact 207a
and preparation of a second operation by closure of the second
relay circuit contact 205b.
The first operation (activated by energization of relay 201a)
continues, responsively to the actuator, until the latter reaches
the end of its travel, whereupon it closes contact 202b via pushrod
203a so that relay 201b is energized via circuit 240, 211, 225,
209, 205b, 202b, 204. Being thus energized, relay 201b causes the
following:
activation of actuator 218b (by closing contact 217b);
preparation of the third operation (by closure of contact
205c);
opening of the self-energization circuit of relay 201a and opening
of contact 208, whereby relay 201a is rendered inoperative;
closure of its self-energization circuit (by closing contact
207b);
and signalling of the second operation (by closure of contact
214b).
At the end of the second operation, contacts 201a are closed and
relay 201c is energized.
The cycle continues thus until the final operation. During the
latter, relay 201n is energized but does not operate on the first
relay circuit. At the end of this operation, contacts 202a close
and relay 201a is energized if at least one of the three energizing
branches is closed. The right-hand branch is opened (contact 207a
open), the left-hand branch likewise (pushbutton 224 not
depressed), but the central branch is closed by the contact 208 and
the main relay 221 if branch 219 has not been opened in the
meantime. Relay 201a is then energized and the cycle recommences,
whereby automatic operation with repeated cycles is obtained.
Operation in the automatic mode can be interrupted in two ways,
either by opening master switch 211, thereby instantly stopping the
machine (safety switch), or by pressing pushbutton 220 which
arrests operation at the end of the cycle. This latter action opens
the branch 219 and de-energizes relay 221, which opens the contact
205a for energizing relay 201a and also its self-energization
contact 223. After pushbutton 220 has been released, relay 221
remains inoperative and the relay 201a can no longer be energized
automatically once more since none of the contacts 224, 205a, 207a
can be closed subsequently. The cycle continues as above-described,
but at the end of the final operation the relay 201a remains
inoperative since its three energizing branches are open. Operation
in the automatic mode is thus arrested after the final
operation.
An alternative operating mode consists in effecting only one
complete cycle. This is obtained by operating manual pushbutton
224, which energizes the relay 201a associated to the first
operation. After pushbutton 224 has been released, relay 201a
remains energized via its self-energizing branch. The first
operation consequently takes place and upon completion triggers the
second operation. The cycle continues until the ultimate operation.
As when automatic operation is halted, relay 201a can no longer be
energized and the machine stops automatically at the end of the
last operation. A further pressure on pushbutton 224 is required to
initiate a new cycle.
A third possible operating mode consists in having the operations
performed one by one by manual initiation. To this end, with the
switch 211 closed and all the relays inoperative, selector 201 is
moved from position 209 to position 209a. If the actuators are at
the end of their travel after the final cycle operation, relay 201a
is energized and causes signalling of the first operation and
activation of actuator 218a. At the end of the first operation,
pushrod 203a closes contact 202b, but because selector contact
studs 225 and 209b are separated, relay 201b remains de-energized
and only the first operation is performed. In moving to position
209b, relay 201b is then energized, causing actuator 218b to be
activated and the second operation to be signalled. In moving to
the successive selector positions, a complete cycle is performed by
manually operating the selector 210.
This last operating mode is particularly useful because it allows
users to stop the cycle on a specific operation. Thus an operation
in the cycle can be performed by activating the corresponding
actuator or actuators through the same electrical components
(notably the relays) as the ones which activate these actuators in
normal operation. This possibility enables the cycle to be broken
down into its separate operations, notably for adjustments.
Further, this operation-by-operation functioning mode permits rapid
fault location. For instance, if the machine should stop
accidentally during an operation while in the automatic operation
mode, all that is necessary is to close switch 213 in order to
identify the operation during which the machine has stopped, to cut
off the power by opening master switch 211 thereby rendering all
the electrical components inoperative, repair the fault (e.g. a
relay, an actuator or contact) place selector 210 in the position
corresponding to the identical operation, re-connect the power
supply by closing switch 211 thereby energizing the relay
corresponding to the operation and completing the latter, and
finally complete the cycle operation by operation. The machine can
then be operated in the desired mode.
It may happen in some cases that at least two operations in the
cycle are identical and involve the same mechanical components.
These components common to both operations then operate two limit
switches connected respectively into the relay circuits associated
to those operations.
With regards to the actuators 218 electrically controlled by the
relays 201, they may be of any convenient type but preferably
devised in the form of electrically operated valves for controlling
the mechanical actuators which perform the fashioning
operation.
The electrical control and signalling system described hereinbefore
is applicable to any automatic machine whose cycle consists of
several operations. The limit switches 202 will accordingly be
closed in succession by the different moving components involved in
the operations.
A control system of this kind bestows appreciable advantages in a
machine for fashioning developable structures such as those used
for filters in the motor industry, since such machines involve
complex fashioning cycles whose operations must be performed in a
clearly defined order and at a very rapid rate. Further, because
such structures are relatively fragile it is important to stop the
machine if the structure breaks and to resume the cycle from the
end of the previous operation onwards. In such cases, the
automatic, semi-automatic and manual operating modes offer a
definite advantage.
Thereby, and irrespective of the form of embodiment adopted, it is
possible to devise an electrical control and signalling circuit, a
description and the manner of operation and utilization of which
have been indicated hereinbefore and which offers various
advantages, including the following:
long life, having regard for the large number of operations, made
possible by the use of relays;
reliability, since no operation can be performed unless the
previous one has been completed;
a wide range of utilization possibilities, stemming from the three
operating modes;
universal application to any automatic machine.
* * * * *