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EP-4580972-B1 - ALIGNMENT MODULE FOR IRREGULAR EDGES

EP4580972B1EP 4580972 B1EP4580972 B1EP 4580972B1EP-4580972-B1

Inventors

  • CARDOSO, Bryan
  • FAVRE, OLIVIER

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230828

Claims (7)

  1. An alignment module (11) for a converting machine (1), the alignment module being configured to correct a lateral position of a blank (2) conveyed in a direction of transportation (T) through the converting machine, the blank comprising a first lateral peripheral edge (6a) and a second lateral peripheral edge (6b), wherein the first and second lateral peripheral edges being arranged at opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis (C) of the blank and extending in the direction of transportation, wherein the alignment module comprises at least one alignment device (30a; 30b) having an upper pressing member (22), a lower conveyor (24) and a guide (26), and wherein the upper pressing member and lower conveyor are configured to receive and transport the blank in a clearance therebetween, and wherein the guide is an elongated bar provided with a lateral guiding surface (40) and is extending in the direction of transportation, characterized in that the guide is further provided with a downwardly sloping inlet end (32), the inlet end being configured to direct a lateral portion (E0) of the blank under the guide, while contacting the lateral guiding surface (40) with an internal segment edge (S1, S2) of the blank, the internal segment edge being arranged closer to the central longitudinal axis of the blank than the lateral portion of the blank positioned under the guide.
  2. The alignment module according to claim 1, wherein the lower conveyor (24) is positioned such that the lateral portion (E0) of the blank is unsupported by the lower conveyor.
  3. The alignment module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the alignment guide is provided with a groove (41), and wherein the groove is configured to retain the internal segment edge (S1, S2) of the blank.
  4. The alignment module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment module comprises an inlet portion (I) in which the upper pressing member is arranged at a distance from the lower conveyor, and wherein the downwardly sloping inlet end of the guide is located in the inlet portion (I).
  5. The alignment module according to claim 1, wherein the alignment guide is laterally displaceable.
  6. The alignment module according to claim 1, wherein the upper alignment module further comprises a slider and wherein a connection axis (AC) of the slider and the connection axis of the guide rail coincide.
  7. A converting machine (1) comprising an alignment module (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the converting machine further comprises a folding module (16), a blank turning module (17) configured to rotate the blanks 90°, and wherein a second alignment module (9) is arranged between the blank turning module and the folding module.

Description

Field of the invention The present invention relates to a converting machine for producing paper and cardboard containers, such as folding boxes. In particular, the invention relates to an alignment module configured to laterally align blanks with irregular lateral edges. Background Converting machines such as folder-gluers are used in the production of paperboard and cardboard boxes. These machines are configured to receive cut-to-shaped blanks and then fold and glue them to form folding boxes or other similar packaging containers. The blanks are provided with cut lines which define the overall shape of the blanks and crease lines which define the locations of folds. In order to ensure that folding is effectuated at the location defined by the crease lines, the folder-gluer machine comprises an alignment module located upstream of a folding module. The alignment module is configured to laterally align the blanks. An example of an alignment module is described in document US7398872. The alignment module in US7398872 comprises an upper pressing member and a lower conveyor configured to receive and convey the blanks in a clearance therebetween. The blank is conveyed with one lateral edge urged against a lateral guide extending in a direction of transportation of the blank. In such a way, the blank is laterally aligned in the converting machine. Depending on the geometry of the blanks, the alignment module can be configured to align against a left side or a right side of the blank. Typically, a straight or a uniform lateral edge is more advantageous for aligning against the guide than an irregular lateral edge. However, for some blanks both the left and right lateral edges are irregular. Such types of blanks are designed to form crash lock boxes, wallet type packaging, hand erected boxes, etc. These boxes may also be provided with adhesive stripes. Consequently, these types of blanks are difficult to align in the direction of transportation and there is a risk of causing a rotation of the blanks during the transportation in the alignment module. Summary In view of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to improve the alignment of blanks provided with irregular lateral edges. This object is solved by an alignment module according to claim 1. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alignment module for a converting machine, the alignment module being configured to correct a lateral position of a blank conveyed in a direction of transportation through the converting machine. The blank comprises a first lateral peripheral edge and a second lateral peripheral edge, the first and second lateral peripheral edges being arranged at opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis of the blank and extending in the direction of transportation. The alignment module comprises at least one alignment device having an upper pressing member, a lower conveyor and a guide, and wherein the upper pressing member and lower conveyor are configured to receive and transport the blank in a clearance therebetween, and wherein the guide is an elongated bar provided with a lateral guiding surface and is extending in the direction of transportation. The guide is further provided with a downwardly sloping inlet end, the inlet end being configured to direct a lateral portion of the blank under the guide, while contacting the lateral guiding surface with an internal segment edge of the blank, the internal segment edge being arranged closer to the central longitudinal axis of the blank than the lateral portion of the blank positioned under the guide. The downwardly sloping inlet end has a wedge shape. The first and second lateral peripheral edges are irregular and may each comprise a plurality of segment edges extending in the direction of transportation and arranged at different lateral positions from the central longitudinal axis of the blank. The term "irregular edges" means edges which are not straight. Each peripheral lateral edge comprises one distal segment edge and at least one internal segment edge, the internal segment edge being positioned closer to central longitudinal axis of the blank than the distal segment edge. The guide is positioned laterally of the upper pressing member and the conveyor belt. The invention is based on a realization that an irregular lateral edge comprises a plurality of different segment edges arranged at different lateral positions. The position and length of some internal segment edges make them more advantageous to align against than the segment edge positioned most distal in the lateral direction, i.e. the distal lateral edge. The lateral direction is defined as perpendicular to the direction of transportation of the blank. By providing a guide with a downwardly inclined inlet portion that forces the extremity of the blank under it, an internal lateral segment edge can be accessed by the alignment surface of the guide. According to an embodiment, the lowe