Patent Publication Number: US-10787337-B2

Title: Module and machine for processing flat objects which is provided therewith

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §§ 371 national phase conversion of PCT/EP2014/002598, filed Sep. 25, 2014, which claims priority of European Patent Application No. 13004822.6, filed Oct. 8, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. The PCT International Application was published in the French language. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a module for a machine for processing flat objects. The invention also relates to a machine for processing flat objects which is provided with one or more modules. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is used in a particularly advantageous manner, but not exclusively, in the field of production of packaging boxes, in particular boxes for medicaments. 
     In the packaging industry, the production of boxes is conventionally carried out in line, by folding and gluing cutouts using a machine which is generally called a folder/gluer. Such a processing machine is generally in the form of a series of modules in which there are distributed the different functional arrangements which are responsible for carrying out the large number of elementary operations which are required for producing the boxes. Each module has its own system for transporting the cutouts, generally roller or belt type transporters, but the assembly is arranged so that the conveying operation is generally carried out in a continuous manner over the entire length of the folder/gluer. 
     During the process of processing the cutouts, some cutouts may leave the transport path and fall underneath, for example, below the transport systems of the modules of the machine. These cutouts may land on portions of machines, positioned in a balanced state, or may even fall on the ground below the machine. If these cutouts are accessible by the operator of the machine, it is possible for the operator to grab them and reintroduce them into the production flow, for example, at the input of the machine or the module into which they have fallen. 
     Alternatively, if the cutouts are not readily accessible, the operator may push them and/or cause them to fall, for example, by using a compressed air gun which generates dust and contamination which then risk clogging the machine and preventing the correct operation thereof, or polluting and soiling the current production. Furthermore, the use of such a gun may result in the cutouts flying away into the machine and becoming deposited at a different location, which impairs the correct operation thereof and is not at all efficient since the operator has to restart his operation. 
     Furthermore, in the field of production of medication packaging, very strict practices require specific operating conditions, in particular when a packaging batch is changed, that is to say, when a new packaging which is different (for example, which has a different size, a different basis weight, a different color or even with printing in a different language) is introduced into the machine, the users wish to be sure that the machine has been correctly cleared of all the cutouts of the preceding batch in order to prevent any mixing at the outlet of the machine. This is because, if the dimensions of the packaging are similar, but nonetheless different, occurrences of mixing cannot necessarily be detected with the naked eye and result in problems in the remainder of the production process. 
     Consequently, not only must all the individual modules be empty and no longer contain cutouts of the different preceding batch, but the machine itself must further be emptied of any cutout which might have fallen into it during the processing operation by the machine. 
     The most simple solution is of course to carry out a visual inspection and a targeted removal of the fallen cutouts which are found by the operator of the machine. This inspection is nonetheless dependent on the attention of the operator. He may in theory not carry out this inspection as a result of inattention or lack of time. He may also carry it out in a partial manner and in this instance the use of a compressed air gun may bring about a clogging of the machine, if not the return of the cutouts inside the machine. 
     This simple solution therefore does not ensure optimum and certain clearance of the machine. Furthermore, for obvious safety reasons, it is preferable to prevent an operator from carrying out an operation in which he would introduce his hand or arm into the machine to search for fallen cutouts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Statement of Invention 
     An object of the invention is consequently to provide a module for a machine for processing flat objects, which module improves the solutions of the prior art. More specifically, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a module which enables it to be ensured that the machine is effectively cleared of the cutouts which have fallen into it during the production process. Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which is simple to use and efficient for discharging such cutouts in complete safety for the user. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a module for a machine for processing flat objects comprises a support structure above which the flat objects are transported along a given transport path. 
     The module is characterized in that it further comprises a discharge system for such flat objects which is capable of discharging any flat object which falls below the transport path. 
     A flat object is defined as being any flattened object which has a small thickness, regardless of the shape thereof, the format thereof or the material from which it is constituted, such as a complete sheet, a pre-cut sheet, an assembly of blanks or cutouts which are locally attached to each other, an individual blank or cutout, a folding box, etc. Furthermore, such a flat object may be produced from any material, in particular paper, compact cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastics material, etc. 
     According to another aspect, a machine for processing flat objects is provided with at least one module which has one or more technical features described below and claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood from the description of several embodiments thereof and the Figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a processing machine of the folder/gluer type provided with modules in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a module of the processing machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are detailed views of an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are detailed views of another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a machine for processing planar objects, for example, a folder/gluer type machine  100  for producing packagings. The planar objects are thus in this instance cutouts, most often of cardboard. Such machines are generally formed by a succession of modules M which each carry out one or more folding and bonding operations which are involved in the production process carried out by the machine  100  in order to produce folding boxes. 
     The folder/gluer  100  is composed of a feeder  110 , an alignment module  120 , a quality control module  130 , a module for embossing Braille characters  140 , a pre-breaking module  150 , an adhesive gluing module  160 , a folding module  170 , an ejection module  175 , a transfer module  180  and a delivery module  190 . Since these various elements are extremely well-known from the prior art, they are not described in detail here, either structurally or operationally. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a module M of the folder/gluer  100 . The module M illustrated is in a stripped-down form which means that it may be any module of the folder/gluer  100  and the function thereof is not decisive in the context of the description of the present invention. The features which will therefore be described in relation to the present invention can therefore be applied to any production machine module. 
     The module M comprises a support structure, with two lateral walls  1  and  2  supported by feet  3 . The module M also comprises two cross-members  4  which mechanically connect the lateral walls  1  and  2  together. It is naturally possible to provide a single cross-member  4  or more than two cross-members  4  in accordance with the length of the module, for example, the illustration of  FIG. 2  not being limiting. The support structure is located below the working zone in which the processing of the cutouts is carried out. The cutouts are transported along a given transport path above the support structure. 
     According to the invention, the processing machine, and more specifically the module M, is provided with a system for discharging the cutouts. In a first production variant, the discharge system comprises deviation means. The deviation means are capable of discharging any cutout which falls below the transport path, by deviating the fall of the cutout toward a dedicated recovery zone. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show details ( FIG. 3A  as a perspective view,  FIG. 3B  in section) of the cross-member  4  referred to in  FIG. 2 . Preferably, the redirection means comprise at least a first redirection member  5  which is capable of redirecting the fall of the cutouts in a downward direction when these cutouts arrive above a support structure portion. 
     The first deflection member  5  is advantageously positioned in an inclined manner, above a support structure portion which extends below the transport path for the cutouts. The first deflection member  5  advantageously comprises at least one inclined plane which is orientated in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to the transport or circulation direction of the cutouts (arrow F in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The first deflection member  5  is preferably fixedly joined to the support structure portion above which it extends. In this embodiment, the first deflection member  5  is in the form of a cover  7  which is fixedly joined to the cross-member  4 . This cover  7  is not flat, but has a convex shape with two inclined planes  8  and  9  in the form of a roof. The object of this specific form is to create an unstable position for a cutout which would fall above the cross-member  4 . 
     This feature enables the problem of the prior art to be solved, that is to say, it prevents the cutouts from being deposited on the cross-member  4 , all the more readily when the size of the cutout is less than the width of the cross-member  4 . 
     By giving a shape with two inclined planes to the cover  7 , any cutout will continue to fall into the machine as a result of gravitational force. The cover  7  may also have a single inclined plane, the important factor being the instability of the position for a fallen cutout. 
     In a second production variant, the discharge system preferably comprises first expulsion means which are capable of discharging any cutout which is present on the first deflection member  5 . In this variant and in order to compensate for the extreme case in which a cutout is located in a balanced state between the two inclined planes  8  and  9  of the cover  7  and remains in this position which is undesirable, it is possible to use additional expulsion means. These first expulsion means force the movement of the cutout in a downward direction. 
     Advantageously, the first expulsion means comprise at least one blowing member which is capable of generating a pulsed flow of air in the region of the upper surface of the first deflection member  5 , that is to say, the cover  7 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the blowing member which comprises a conduit  10  ( FIG. 3B ) and one or more nozzles  11  ( FIG. 3A ). The compressed air used can easily be tapped from the machine which generally uses compressed air in some production operations. 
     These expulsion means are of course optional and it is possible to choose to increase the inclination of the planes  8  and  9  in order to dispense with them. It is also possible to use other equivalent means, for example, mechanical elements which push a fallen cutout, such as, for example, a roller which is fitted between the two inclined planes  8  and  9  which is capable of pushing the cutout from one side or the other. 
     Such expulsion means may be implemented at the command of the operator, using a command C, or in an automatic manner, or even function permanently. 
     Preferably, the deviation means comprise at least a second deflection member which is capable of deviating the fall of the cutouts toward the dedicated recovery zone, when these cutouts arrive below the support structure. Each second deflection member is advantageously positioned in an inclined manner, below a support structure portion which extends below the cutout transport path. 
     Each second deflection member advantageously comprises at least one inclined plane which is orientated in a substantially transverse direction relative to the transport direction of the cutouts F. The deviation means preferably comprise a single second deflection member which extends below substantially the entire support structure portion which is located below the transport path of the cutouts. 
     The second deflection member comprises two lower covers  15  and  16  (see  FIGS. 1 and 4A ). These covers  15  and  16  serve to recover the cutouts which fall into the machine from the transport path, but also from cross-members  4  in order to prevent them from falling to the ground below the machine, or below the module M. 
     More specifically, a first cover  15  forms an inclined plane, in such a manner that the fallen cutouts will all slide toward a recovery zone which is located at the front of the module and of the machine. Consequently, the cutouts do not fall in bulk randomly anywhere below the machine but are directed toward a defined recovery zone. The proposition illustrated is only one example and it is possible to provide a cover  15  which has an inclined plane in another direction, or which terminates in recovery vessels, the idea being that the cutouts are discharged outside the module M or into a zone of the module M which is readily accessible for the operator. 
     The cover  16 , in addition to the function thereof for discharging cutouts, also covers means which prevent the cutouts from remaining blocked on the cover  15 . The discharge system advantageously comprises second expulsion means which are capable of discharging any cutout which is present on the second deflection member. 
     The second expulsion means advantageously comprise at least one blowing member which is capable of generating a pulsed flow of air in the region of the upper surface of a second deflection member. 
     This blowing member is typically provided with a conduit  22  which blows air laterally, for example, through nozzles, in the direction of the inclined plane  15  (from top to bottom). Arrows A in  FIG. 4B  illustrate the blown air which thus ensures that the cutouts fall along the inclined plane  15  for the discharge thereof. 
     This blowing member may be actuated on request by the operator, or automatically, or operate permanently, in a manner similar to those located in the region of the cover  7 . 
     In a preferred manner, the operator uses the command C in order to actuate the discharge means when he wishes to clear the machine of all the cutouts which have fallen. 
     The cutouts which are cleared by the system can finally be recovered by the operator outside the machine, either manually, or by auxiliary recovery means (for example, vessels) which will be placed, for example, in an appropriate manner at the end of the cover  15 . 
     In this manner, by using the means proposed by the present invention, an operator can readily clear in a certain manner a machine of all the cutouts which might have fallen therein, without manual intervention in the machine. This system is consequently very efficient and complies with safety requirements. 
     The embodiments illustrated in the present application are illustrated purely by way of example and must not be considered to be limiting. Variations are possible in the context of the protection claimed, for example, by using equivalent means. 
     The first and second production variant may be used alone or in combination according to the embodiment desired. Only one or a plurality of modules may comprise the discharge system for flat objects. The machine and module portions described above may be formed by any appropriate material. For example, the covers  7 ,  8 ,  15  and  16  may be formed from metal or synthetic material.