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CN-116529189-B - Reverse transfer module for a converting machine

CN116529189BCN 116529189 BCN116529189 BCN 116529189BCN-116529189-B

Abstract

The invention relates to a reverse transport module (60) for a converting machine with a printing module (16), the printing module (16) comprising a first printing unit (17) arranged to print on a top side (S1) of a sheet (1) and a second printing unit (17') arranged to print on a bottom side (S2) of the sheet. The reverse conveyance module is disposed between the first printing unit and the second printing unit and includes a first reverse vacuum conveyance device (62) disposed to contact a first side of the sheet and a second reverse vacuum conveyance device (64) configured to contact a second side of the sheet, whereby the reverse conveyance module is configured to change the suction and transport sides of the sheet.

Inventors

  • E. Wei Voltaire

Assignees

  • 鲍勃斯脱里昂公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20211116
Priority Date
20201119

Claims (11)

  1. 1. A reverse transport module (60) for a converting machine with a printing module (16), the printing module (16) comprising at least one first printing unit (17) with a top printing cylinder (30) arranged to print on a top side (S1) of a sheet (1) and at least one second printing unit (17') with a bottom printing cylinder (30) arranged to print on a bottom side (S2) of the sheet, A reverse transport module configured to transport a sheet (1) between at least one first printing unit and at least one second printing unit, wherein the reverse transport module comprises an inlet reverse vacuum transport (62) and an outlet reverse vacuum transport (64), each configured to contact and transport a different side of the sheet, whereby the reverse transport module is configured to change an adsorption and transport side of the sheet, the reverse transport module further comprising: a first deflector (91) arranged at an angle and defining an inlet gap (C1) and an outlet gap (C2) with an inlet reversing vacuum conveyor (62), wherein the inlet gap is larger than the outlet gap, thereby providing a funnel-shaped inlet channel to the outlet reversing vacuum conveyor, and A second deflector (92) horizontally disposed and defining an inlet gap (C3) and an outlet gap (C4) with an outlet reversing vacuum conveyor (64), wherein the second deflector is parallel to the outlet reversing vacuum conveyor.
  2. 2. The reverse transfer module according to claim 1, wherein the printing module (16) is a flexographic printing module, wherein the first printing unit (17) comprises a top printing cylinder (30) arranged to print on a top side (S1) of a sheet, and the second printing unit (17') has a bottom printing cylinder arranged to print on a bottom side (S2) of the sheet.
  3. 3. The reverse transfer module according to claim 1, further comprising a pivotably movable locking member (72) connected to a housing (61) of the reverse transfer module.
  4. 4. A reverse transfer module according to claim 3, wherein the pivotally movable locking member (72) is configured to engage with a corresponding mating geometry in the printing module (16) in order to mechanically connect a housing (61) of the reverse transfer module (60) with a housing of the first printing unit (17).
  5. 5. The reverse transfer module of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inlet reverse vacuum transfer device is connected to a first vacuum generator and the outlet reverse vacuum transfer device is connected to a second vacuum generator.
  6. 6. The reverse conveyance module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a vacuum suction force of the inlet reverse vacuum conveyance device configured to apply suction force to a top side of the sheet is higher than a vacuum suction force of the outlet reverse vacuum conveyance device configured to apply suction force to a bottom side of the sheet.
  7. 7. The reverse transfer module of any of claims 1-4, further comprising a structural frame, wherein the inlet reverse vacuum transfer device and the outlet reverse vacuum transfer device are mounted on the same structural frame (70).
  8. 8. A reverse transfer module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reverse transfer module is provided with a displacement device (13) enabling horizontal displacement of the reverse transfer module.
  9. 9. The reverse conveyance module of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing of the inlet reverse vacuum conveyance configured to apply suction to the top side of the sheet comprises a separate suction compartment connected to an inlet vacuum generator.
  10. 10. The reverse transfer module according to claim 9, wherein the suction compartment is defined by an inner wall extending in the transport direction and arranged such that a centrally arranged suction compartment (80) is provided, the centrally arranged suction compartment (80) being arranged between a first lateral suction compartment (82) and a second lateral suction compartment (84).
  11. 11. The reverse transfer module of claim 10, wherein the inner wall is configured as a movable shutter, wherein suction from the inlet vacuum generator can be distributed to the first and second lateral suction compartments (82, 84) by opening the shutter.

Description

Reverse transfer module for a converting machine Technical Field The present invention relates to a converting machine suitable for the production of paper or cardboard boxes having printed patterns on both the inside and outside surfaces. Background In the packaging industry, boxes are typically made from corrugated cardboard or paperboard sheet substrates. There are two main types of boxes, folded, grooved boxes (sometimes also referred to as "folded boxes") and flat packed boxes. The folded, grooved boxes are folded and glued together in a converting machine, whereas the flat packed boxes are provided as flat sheets from the converting machine and then folded and possibly closed (e.g. with tape) when provided with their final content. The present invention relates to a converting machine comprising a printing unit. Such a converting machine may be configured as a rotary die cutter adapted to produce printed flat packed boxes or as a flexo folding glue converting machine for producing folded, slotted boxes. Taking a rotary die cutter as an example, it includes a series of modules including a feeder module, a flexographic printing module, a die cutting module, and typically a stacker module. Paperboard or cardboard boxes are often provided with printed patterns on the outer surface. In a standard outboard printing process, the flexographic printing cylinder in the converter is typically located below the sheet and is configured to print on the bottom side of the sheet. The bottom side of the sheet may then represent the outer surface of the box. It is sometimes desirable to print on the inside of the cartridge. Further information or decorative patterns may be provided on the inside surface of the box by printing on the inside. In order to print on both the outside and inside of the box, the flexographic printing module also needs to include at least one additional flexographic printing unit with a print cylinder arranged to print on the top side of the sheet. When printing on a sheet from below, the sheet needs to be conveyed on the top side. Conversely, if the sheet is to be printed on the top surface, the sheet needs to be conveyed on the bottom side. Transport and suction of the sheet is achieved in part by means of transport elements and vacuum suction units configured to apply suction against the bottom and top sides of the sheet in an alternating manner. This arrangement drives and holds the sheet in a desired vertical position against the print cylinder inside the converting machine. For the duplex printing process, the transport side of the sheet needs to be switched between the upper and bottom flexographic printing cylinders. However, this change in transport and adsorption causes the sheet to change direction vertically. This may lead to interruptions, for example, to undesired misalignment and further misalignment of the printing, die cutting and creasing operations located downstream. Disclosure of Invention In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a converting machine that smoothly and controllably transports sheets between a top printing cylinder and a bottom printing cylinder. The object of the invention is solved by a reverse transfer module. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a reverse transport module for a converting machine having a printing module comprising at least one first printing unit arranged to print on a top side of a sheet and at least one second printing unit arranged to print on a bottom side of the sheet, The reverse transport module is configured to transport a sheet between at least one first printing unit and at least one second printing unit, wherein the reverse transport module comprises an inlet reverse vacuum transport and an outlet reverse vacuum transport, each configured to contact and transport a different side of the sheet, whereby the reverse transport module is configured to change the side of the sheet that is absorbed and transported. In an embodiment, the printing module is a flexographic printing module, wherein the first printing unit comprises a top printing cylinder arranged to print on a top side of the sheet, the second printing unit has a bottom printing cylinder arranged to print on a bottom side of the sheet, In an embodiment, the reverse transfer module further comprises a pivotably movable locking member connected to the housing of the reverse transfer module. The pivotally movable locking member may be configured to engage with a corresponding mating geometry in the printing module in order to mechanically connect the housing of the reverse transfer module with the housing of the printing unit. In an embodiment, the reverse transfer module further comprises a first deflector arranged at an angle and defining an inlet gap and an outlet gap with the inlet reverse vacuum transfer device, wherein the inlet gap is larger than the outlet gap, thereby providing a funnel-shaped inlet chann