APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING OUT OF FILE THE SHEETS UNDERLYING A PAPER PACKAGE COMPRISING A SERIES OF CONTINUOUS MODULES

Abstract: Apparatus for easily separating and positioning ''out of pile'' the sheets placed beneath a continuous paper web package, thus allowing both the leading end of the package comprising the first upper page thereof and the trailing end or last sheets thereof to be readily used, which trailing end would otherwise be in the natural position thereof beneath the whole package, the cutting operation being carried out by the device comprising a plane for separating the sheets provided with a sliding roller and package stopping pins without either interrupting the continuity or causing any damages to the paper web forming the package in order to carry out those operations requiring a specific use thereof, as for example connecting in series a plurality of consecutive packages starting from a ''normal'' package; controlling some data or the integrity of the last sheet of a package; carrying out the packaging of packages for special uses and the like.

Description: APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING OUT OF FILE THE SHEETS UNDERLYING A PAPER PACKAGE COMPRISING A SERIES OF CONTINUOUS MODULES. Ihe more and more generalized use of packaged "continuous mo¬ dules", that is a continuous paper web wherein the pages or sheets are defined by transversal weakening perforations, which module packages comprise a plurality of overlying sheets fold- ed as an "accordion", and the more and more improved process¬ ing machines, such as laser high speed printing units, post- printing operating machines, tearing machines, folding machin¬ es, block packaging machines and the like, suggest the opportu¬ nity of ensuring a continuous feed to the machines even using support paper packages and, accordingly, adequate and definite entities. To the time being, the solution proposed to industry was to use a number of packages wherein the trailing module of the package is either vertically positioned or placed over the pa- ckage. ϊhus, the user can remove the wrap and use simultaneously both the leading end and the trailing end of the package. This solu¬ tion is satisfying to the first user of such a package, for ex¬ ample for a series connection of the packages to be fed to high speed printing machines. But it certainly cannot be satisfying to successive users since, for example, printing machines give back packages of a traditio¬ nal type which, accordingly are not suitable to be successive¬ ly and easily used in a series connection. Furthermore, the above-mentioned special packages are manually packaged in printing offices by skilled and naturally selected operators; this operation, however, is possible since any dama¬ ge to the paper web will simply involve the loss of a number of sheets, since these sheets have not yet been "personalized" and are all equal to each other. Ihis invention can meet both the requirements of printing of¬ fices for a particular packaging of the packages and the requi- rements of printing centers and post-processing centers. A number of devices have been devised that allow the last pa¬ ckage sheets to be separated from a normal package through sim¬ ple operations, that is to be drawn out from beneath the packa¬ ge without damaging the paper, thus being able to use simulta- neously both the leading and the trailing end of the package. Ihis is possible by vertically placing the last sheets of the package close to the package pile. For a better understand.ing, in the drawings both a normal pa¬ ckage is shown (fig. 1) and a package processed by the device of the invention (fig. 2) the latter together with the source of the end modules or sheets which are vertically placed by rotating this "small package". This apparently simple operation is in effect extremely deli¬ cate when the packages to be handled comprise several hundreds of sheets and the user wants to be sure that some package pa¬ ges will not be damaged by folds or tears. For the sake of clearness, the separate small package will be hereinafter shown from the right side of the observer. The device of the invention, however, allows the small package to be obtained also on the opposite side by a "specular" assembly. The device of the invention will be described with reference to the figures of the annexed drawings. In some figures the way the devices are rotated is not consi- dered since this is not essential to the aim of the invention. In the drawings: Figures 1 and 2 schematically show the side views of the packa¬ ge to be processed and the processed package. Figure 3 shows the plane for cutting the small modules package to be turned over, which cutting plane is equal in all the ap¬ plications of the three successive functional groups: the first group shown in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9; the second group shown in Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16; and, the third group shown in Figures 17, 18, 19 and 20. Figures 4 and 5 show two different embodiments of a small pa¬ ckage divaricating and supporting member. This member, together with the cutting plane of Figure 3, makes up the device shown in the functional diagram of Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9. . Similarly, the cutting plane of Figure 3 and one of the two members of Figure 10 or Figure 11, which are also two possible embodiments of the same member, will form together the device shown in the functional diagram of Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16. Finally, the members of Figure 3 and Figure 12 will form toge- ther the device shown in the functional diagram of Figures 17, 18, 19 and 20. Before synthetically describing the figures of drawing 2, it should be noted that a package paper web generallly has a print¬ ing or working .direction. Accordingly a package has both a lead- ing end and a trailing end. Furthermore, traditional packaging processes also provide pack¬ ages comprising vertically placed sheets. This has been synthe¬ tically represented by the letters I and F, leading end and trailing end respectively, placed close to the package views-. Figure 21 shows a device which allows the same result of the above-mentioned devices to be obtained by rotating the package starting from the following different initial arrangements: - the sequence of Figures 22, 23, 24 and 25, wherein the pack¬ age is a normal package equal to the package of Figure 1, and the device is rotated alternatively by about-180 degrees; - the sequence of Figures 26, 27 and 28, wherein the package is an upside-down package and the device is rotated by about 180 degrees; - the sequence of Figures 29, 30 and 31 for using a package comprising vertically placed sheets; - the sequence of Figures 32, 33, 34 and 35, wherein the pack¬ age used is a traditional package, but the rotational center of the device is now close to the corner referred to by refer¬ ence C; the device can be rotated by about 90 degrees either through a device resting on a plane or through a rotating de¬ vice hinged at that plane; and - the secondary sequence of Figures 33, 34 and 35 showing the use of a package comprising vertically placed sheets, similar to the package of Figures 29, 30 and 31, and - device which rotates close to a plane. The invention will be now described in more details. Figure 3 shows the cutting plane which comprises a package sliding plane 1 having an edge entering the package, which en¬ tering edge 2 can be centrally cusp-shaped and suitably round¬ ed off to make the insertion easier. Package sliding rollers 3 can be mounted on plane 1. Finally, retractile pins 4 sliding within slots 5 allow the distance between the plane cusp and the pins to be adjusted according to the size of the package sheets. Thus the package, while moving from edge 2 to the op¬ posite side of the plane, will strike the pins before the cusp has crossed the whole plane. Pins 4 are retractable and can be controlled to remain either in the "in" or the "out" posit¬ ion. The "in" position allows the package to slide over the pins for an easier handling. The pins can be controlled both by cylinder and piston pneumatic units, as shown in Figure 6 by reference number 6, and by electromagnets, as well as by a system of toggle levers. Figure 4 and 5 show two embodiments of a small package divari¬ cating and supporting member. Also this member comprises a main plane 7 supported by hinges 8 allowing the plane to rota- te. Opposite to hinges 8 sliding rollers 9 allow the last pa¬ ckage sheets or modules to be fan opened on the temporary package support step. Thus, edge 2 of the cutting plane is easily inserted between two sheets of the package, as diagra- matically shown in Figure 6. A possible opening 10 allows an easier "grip" of the separate modules or small package for the successive turnover thereof, as schematically shown by hand in Figure 8. From the foregoing the operative-functional sequence of Figu¬ res 6, 7, 8 and 9 can be easily understood. Figure 6 shows the relative position of the two members form¬ ing the device of Figure 3 and Figure 4 and the paper package resting on rollers 9. The last package sheets open as a fan when the package moves towards the cutting plane, thus making the introduction of edge 2 of cutting plane 1 easier. Figure 7 clearly shows the package which is caused to slide on plane 1 to stop against pins 4, while the body of divarica¬ ting member 7 supports now separate package 11. Figures 8 and 9 show the sequence of the manual support of small package 11, lowering of plane 7 and retraction of pins 6. Small package 11 is successively rotated and moved close to the package. The processed package is thus equal to the pa¬ ckage of Figure 2 and ready to be used. Figures 10 and 11 show two embodiments of the small package divaricating and supporting member of Figures 4 and 5, which embodiments are suitable to temporarily support the paper pa- ckage through bracket 13, as shown in Figure 13. This bracket is rigidly connected to the body of divaricator 12. The above- mentioned members also comprise an upper roller 14 intended to facilitate the fan opening of the last package sheets or modules when the package partially protrudes from its support, as shown in Figure 14. Roller 14 can be replaced by a fold raised with respect to the joining corner of small planes 12 and 13, this assembly being supported and caused to rotate by hinges 15. Also in this case two of the possible ways of making the "grip" of the separate small package of sheets easier have been shown, that is through opening 16 or depres¬ sion 17 of small plane 12. The assembly of the members of either Figures 3 and 10 or of Figure 11 forms the device shown in the functional sequence of Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16. The main variation with respect to the preceding sequence of Figures 6, 7, 3 and 9 is that, in this case, the package can rest on the divaricating member before the cutting step is started. Otherwise, the preceding figures and description referring to the sequence of Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are sufficient to describe the operation of the device. In the following figures operating device 6 for pins 4 has not been shown to make each figure more easily understan¬ dable. Figure 12 shows a further embodiment of the small package di¬ varicating and supporting member illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, which embodiment is substantially different in that it can move from a "raised" or work position 20 to a "lowered" or rest position 21 useful useful to rotate the separate small package, through carriages .18 on guides 19. The use of the above-mentioned embodiment together with the cutting plane of Figure 3 is shown in the functional sequence of Figures 17, 18, 19 and 20. This sequence is substantially identical to the sequence of Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 except for the small package divaricating and supporting plane, that is the members of Figures 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, which is able to move "up" and "down", since this is not essential to the operative concept of the invention. The device shown in Figure 21 substantially comprises a main body 25 containing sliding guides 26 and rigidly connected to a rotational axis support 27 containing the device axis of ro- tation and/or operation 28. Small carriages 29 that support a package receiving small plane 30 can move along sliding guides 26. Carriages 29 can be blocked with respect to guides by device 31 thus allowing receiving plane 30 to be stopped at a distance from auxiliary plane 32 determined by the height of the package being processed. Auxiliary plane 32 is secured to main body 25 by a hinge 33, thus_being.-,abuse to make;.a.csmpas_sεs iH£B_efflent, BEacierts 3_trig__εi- ly connected to main body 25 support a system for blocking the auxiliary plane perpendicularly to the device main body 25, for example through blocking pins 35. Auxiliary plane 32 can comprise a plurality of package sliding rollers 36 besides a tab 37 for supporting the separate small package, which tab is secured to the auxiliary plane through hinge 38 and elasti- cally maintained in position by springs 39. The sequence of Figures 22, 23, 24 and 25 shows the use of the device of Figure 21 with a "normal" package, that is with the package leading end placed upwards and the sheets in a hori- zontal position. Figure 22 diagramatically shows the package which is first placed on the device and then held by the lower¬ ing receiving plane 30. The package is then rotated by 180° to the position shown in Figure 23. Auxiliary plane 32 is then released to separate the small pack- age. This auxiliary plane is thus able to rotate releasing the package upper sheets or modules from which the small package can be separated and rotated to be placed at the side of the package. The auxiliary plane is then returned to and blocked in its previous position thus allowing both the package and the separate small package to be "contained" by resilient tab 37. The device and the package contained therein are finally rotated by 180° in the opposite direction and receiving plane 30 of Figure 25 is then raised. The package is thus "free" and has the desired configuration. The following sequence of Figures 26, 27 and 28 shows one of the possible ways of using the device of Figure 21 with an upside-down paper package, that is a package having the lead- ing end downwards and the trailing end upwards. In this case the modules to be separated are already in the upward position as shown in Figure 26 wherein the package is placed on the device. Figure 27 shows the rotation of the small package and the lowering of receiving plane 30. Finally, Figure 28 shows the following rotation of the device and the package contained therein. The package can be then released both by rotating auxiliary plane 32 and by lowering receiving plane 30. The sequence of Figures 29, 30, and 31 is easily understood noting that a package comprising vertically placed sheets is used therein. It should be noted that suitably handling a paper package by both upside-down rotations and rotations on the receiving pla¬ ne, any starting condition can be always turned into one of the basic solutions used in Figures 22, 26 and 29. Finally, both the sequence of Figures 32, 33, 34 and 35 and the secondary sequence of Figures 33, 34 and 35 are easily understood on the base of the preceding description. It should be note, however, that the device described in these figures will not rotate about axis of rotation 28 of Figure 21 since a rotation thereof by about 180° would require a given available space around it. Q the contrary, this device will rotate about point C by ap¬ proximately 90°. This allows either the device to be placed on a working plane referred to by reference "1" or two shorts hinges to be provided on the same plane. These hinges will- also rotate about point C, thus allowing the device to rotate and also increasing the stability thereof.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for easily separating "out of pile" the end sheets or modules of a continuous paper web package, thus allowing both the leading and the trailing end of said package to be used, wherein said last modules are separated by a plane "ente- ring" said package with a relative motion, thus dividing the package into two distinct small packages joined to each other only by the continuous paper web "wrapping" the entering edge of the cutting plane. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said edge of said cutting plane entering said package is centrally cusp-shaped to faci¬ litate the action thereof. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cutting plane is pro¬ vided with rollers on the package sliding surface, said rollers being intended to facilitate the sliding of said package. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cutting plane is pro¬ vided with package stopping pins limiting the movement thereof for preventing said entering edge from damaging said paper web. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the distance between said pins and said entering edge is adjustable and said pins can be suitably retracted, thus making said package sliding surface completely smooth. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an auxiliary small plane on which said package is placedbefore said cutting plane enters therein is intended to fan open the last package sheets in or- der to facilitate the entrance of said cutting plane. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the edge of said package resting and sliding auxiliary plane is provided with one or more rollers to facilitate the operation thereof and is also intended to temporarily support said separate small package. 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said package sliding edge is provided with an opening intended to facilitate the tempo¬ rary support of the separate sheets forming said separate small package. 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said separate small pack¬ age can be easily reached on said auxiliary small plane through a side opening formed in said small plane. 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a corrugation allowing and facilitating the access to said small package is formed on the surface of said small plane. 11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said auxiliary plane can make a compasses movement allowing the package sliding edge to move away from the cutting plane to facilitate the rotation thereof and of said separate small package at the side of the main package. 12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said auxiliary plane has a bracket shape allowing said package to be placed thereon also temporarily. 13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rotation of said se¬ parate small package is facilitated by a translation of the whole auxiliary plane. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cutting of said mo¬ dules is facilitated by rotations of the package contained in said device. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, comprising a main body having an auxiliary plane connected to the end thereof by a hinge support, said auxiliary plane being provided with a device securing th same at 90° relative to said main body. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a package receiving ' ' small plane is connected to said main body at the opposite end relative to said auxiliary plane, said package receiving small plane being provided with a system allowing said plane to sli¬ de and be blocked at a variable distance from said auxiliary plane, thus maintaining the two members in parallel positions. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said auxiliary plane is provided with a tab for temporarily supporting said separa- te small package, said tab being able to make a compasses, move¬ ment relative to the free end of said auxiliary plane, and a resilient device for maintaining said separate small package in the support position. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said auxiliary plane is provided with package sliding rollers. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a bracket for supporting the axis of rotation or operation of said device is connected to said main body. 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said device rotates about the hinge placed between said main body and said auxilia¬ ry plane thus allowing the device resting on a working plane to be used by means of short hinges. 21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said device is rotated about the corner connecting said main body to said auxiliary plane, thus allowing said device to be used while resting on a working plane.

Inventors: LENZI MAURO, LENZI, MAURO
Applicants: LENZI MAURO, LENZI, MAURO
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B65H31
IPC codes: B65H31, B65H45