EP0943723A1 - Sample taking device for a strip material or a sheet material - Google Patents

Abstract

A sheet or foil product sampling device has relatively displaceable blade-holder and recessed chucks (2,3) located at opposite sides of the product (1). A device for sampling a moving or stationary sheet or foil product comprises a rotated blade-holder chuck (2) and a recessed chuck (3) axially aligned on opposite sides of the product (1). The blade-holder chuck holds a circular blade (7) which faces the product and which cooperates with an annular buffer (13) of the recessed chuck, the latter also having a central suction cup (14) connected to a pressure and/or vacuum circuit. One or both chucks can be axially displaced towards and away from one another.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for sampling of a product in a strip or in leaf. The purpose assigned to this device is to collect, on a product in strip or sheet, scrolling or the stop, a circular part of predefined dimension, of in the order of 10 to 20 cm in diameter, this so automatic.

In all production facilities in the problem of quality control of the product at the various stages of its development and / or its transformation, to verify that the course of the process is consistent.

In the case of strip or sheet products, such as textile industry products and On the one hand, the problem posed is to succeed in take a piece of the strip or sheet while scrolling, without altering the rest of the product which must be able continue to scroll through the installation, so without deteriorate this product due to the operation of levy, and secondly to only cause the disruption of any of the established process parameters, avoiding jolts, displacements of the strip, etc ...

For clothing and decoration textiles, and for technical textiles such as glass fabrics or carbon, there is no catch device automatic specific sample, and giving satisfaction.

Tests have been done with devices designed for paper, based on engraved type cylinders used for cutting labels. These trials did not given satisfaction because after a very short time of use, the wear of the imprints made that some textile fibers were not cut. The consequences could be disastrous because the room, incompletely cut, not only was not taken, but still was dragged into the line of manufacturing or processing and could cause excess thickness very damaging to certain parts of machines. It could also happen that a thread is pulled over the entire length of fabric located downstream of the gripping device, until the operator leaves glimpse.

Other known proposals consist of a punch device, brutally operated and supposed to cut a sample out of a product being scrolling, without interrupting the scrolling of the product to where the sample should be taken - see by example US patents 3648555 and US 4061065. Such devices, operating "on the fly", create inevitably jerks in the material being scroll, and do not allow a clean cut samples, especially in the case of a material brittle.

Or an automatic sampling device of sample not having absolute reliability cannot be used in a production line in continued. Therefore, in practice, taking sample is still done manually, on the fly at using a craft knife. This is a cause of accidents work, the operator being forced to enter the machine, near moving parts and product.

Other purely manual gripping devices of samples are described in English patent 1,246,495 and German patent 813401. These devices, whatever their constructive details, do not correspond to object of the present invention which is to provide a working sample collection device automatic.

The present invention aims to remedy the inadequacy of known systems, providing a sample collection device that works from automatically with very high reliability, even in the case of very fine products without hold, and which thus allows the improvement of working conditions, while meeting the need to control the product quality during a manufacturing process and / or treatment.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for taking a sample from a product in strip or sheet, scrolling or stopped, which essentially consists of a blade holder and a vacuum plate arranged along the same axis, on both sides and other of the product in strip or sheet, in scrolling or stopped, the blade holder plate being mounted rotating around the aforementioned axis and being associated with motorized rotary drive means, this plate carrying a circular blade facing the product in strip or sheet, while the vacuum plate has an annular pile intended to cooperate with the blade circular, and a central suction cup connected to a circuit of vacuum and / or pressure, at least one of two plates being movable in translation along the axis mentioned above and associated with means of displacement in translation, so as to allow the approximation and the distance between the two platforms.

Thus is produced a sampling device sample that works according to a cutting principle mechanical, ensuring the cutting of a circular part which is then retained by pneumatic suction. For optimize the mechanical functioning of the device, the blade holder plate still carries, advantageously, a circular plate mounted free to rotate around the aforementioned axis, inside the circular blade, and flexibly linked to the support of said blade, this platinum exerting pressure on the part of the strip or sheet product applied to the suction cup of the vacuum plate, when the two are brought together trays prior to the action of the circular blade. Thus, during the intervention of the device, the product in tape or sheet is immobilized both inside and outside the annular area, in which the cut of the sample is carried out by means of the slide circular. This prevents wrinkles and entrainment of the produced in strip or sheet, and allows in particular reliably take samples even in the case of very fine fabrics, not holding by themselves.

The mechanical action of this blade can be facilitated and made more reliable by weakening the fibers or particles of the product, at the place of cutting.

For this purpose, the circular blade is advantageously made as a heating blade, connected by a connector to an electrical source; the desired embrittlement is thus obtained thermally.

As a variant or in addition, the circular blade is designed as a vibrating blade, preferably a blade mounted on an ultrasonic chip, connected to a source of ultra-sounds, the embrittlement being thus obtained by ultra-sonic vibrations.

Motorized means for rotating the blade holder plate can be constituted by a jack rotary, able to make this tray describe, and more particularly with the circular blade, a rotation at a predetermined angle, for example at a reciprocating movement, during each cycle of taking a sample.

In the device defined above, the blade circular cooperates with a counterpart called "heap annular ", which is a kind of sole or plate, of annular or circular shape, capable of supporting, without immediate mechanical damage, the blade pressure of possibly hot cut, animated by a movement of alternating rotation, making up for the shortcomings of blade geometry. Depending on its constituent material, the annular pile can wear out more or less quickly under the friction effect of the blade, and in case of degradation of its surface condition, it is no longer guaranteed that all the fibers of the strip or sheet product undergo the same cutting stress. To avoid this risk, it is proposed, according to an additional characteristic of the invention, that the annular pile consists of a regenerable material, and more particularly of a metal or alloy having a very low melting point, a electric heating resistance being embedded in said annular pile. So when it becomes necessary to regenerate the active surface of the annular heap, we will send a heating current in the resistance embedded in the metal or alloy of this annular heap, to liquefy it and again get a smooth surface. The reliability of device is thus improved.

To obtain the relative translational movement of the two plates, in the direction of their common axis, the vacuum plate is for example mounted movable in translation on a slide, its means of movement in translation being in particular constituted by a jack.

The two plates of the device must be maintained along the same axis, on both sides of the strip or sheet product whose width can be more or less important. To this end, according to a mode of realization, the blade holder plate and the depression are carried respectively by the two parallel horizontal branches of a U-shaped support which wraps around the product in strips or sheets; of preferably, the support in "U" is mounted movable in translation, in a direction transverse to that of produced in strip or sheet, to allow the taking samples at different points in the product width.

According to another embodiment, the plate blade holder and vacuum plate are worn respectively by two movable carriages translation, synchronized, on both sides of the produced in strip or sheet, in one direction transverse, to allow sampling at different points along the width of the product.

The device, previously described, can be incorporated in a sampling machine, inserted itself in a production line and / or processing of a continuously moving strip product, the sampling machine comprising an accumulator input and output accumulator arranged respectively upstream or downstream of the sample collection. Thanks to the two accumulators, the advance of the strip product may be temporarily stopped at the sampling device of sample, to allow the intervention of this one, without interrupting the general advance of the product in strip on the manufacturing and / or processing line.

Finally, it may be appropriate to recover and to evacuate the samples cut from the product in bandaged. In this case, especially within the framework of the machine of sampling previously mentioned, the device is usefully supplemented by means of recovery and evacuation of the sample taken, comprising a receptacle positioned under the tray depression, and a conveyor arranged transversely to the strip product, for bringing the sample to a side of the manufacturing and / or processing line, or well in a place far from said line.

Figure 1 est une vue en coupe passant par l'axe d'un dispositif de prélèvement d'échantillon conforme à la présente invention ;

Figure 2 est une vue de face du plateau porte-lame du dispositif de figure 1 ;

Figure 3 est une vue de face du plateau à dépression du dispositif de figure 1 ;

Figure 4 est une vue en coupe, similaire à figure 1, montrant une variante de ce dispostif ;

Figure 5 représente très schématiquement, en vue de côté, une machine de prise d'échantillons complète, équipée du dispositif objet de l'invention ;

Figure 6 est une vue en perspective partielle de la machine de figure 5 ;

Figure 7 est une vue en perspective similaire à figure 6, relative à une variante de la partie de machine concernée ;

Figure 8 est une vue de détail, se rapportant aux figures 6 et 7 ;

Figure 9 est une vue similaire à figure 5, montrant une dernière variante.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of examples, some embodiments of this device for taking a sample from a product in a strip or in leaf :

Figure 1 is a sectional view passing through the axis of a sample collection device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the blade holder plate of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the vacuum plate of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 1, showing a variant of this device;

Figure 5 shows very schematically, in side view, a complete sampling machine, equipped with the device object of the invention;

Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the machine of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view similar to Figure 6, relating to a variant of the machine part concerned;

Figure 8 is a detail view, referring to Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing a final variant.

• d'une part, un plateau porte-lame 2, associé à des moyens motorisés d'entraínement en rotation ;
• d'autre part, un plateau à dépression 3, mobile en translation.

The actual sample taking device is shown, in a first embodiment, in Figures 1 to 3. This device consists of two sub-assemblies located opposite each other on the product in strip 1 from which the sample must be taken, the sub-assemblies being:

• on the one hand, a blade holder plate 2, associated with motorized means for driving in rotation;
• on the other hand, a vacuum plate 3, movable in translation.

The blade holder plate 2 includes a support 4 mounted rotating around an axis 5, perpendicular to the plane of the product in strip 1. The support 4 has a cavity 6 cylindrical in shape, opening facing the product in strip 1. The cavity 6 receives a heating blade circular 7 connected by at least one electrical connector bipolar 8 to a power source not shown, allowing the heating of the blade 7 by Joule effect, the blade temperature 7 being adjusted so suitable for product 1 to be cut. This heating blade 7 is integral in rotation with the support 4.

The cavity 6 of the support 4 still receives a plate circular 9, mounted freely in rotation about the axis 5, inside the circular heating blade 7. The connection of the circular plate 9 with the support 4 is flexible, and allows this plate 9 to retract under the effect of an external push.

Motorized means for rotating the blade holder plate 2 around axis 5, along arrow R, are constituted in the example represented by a jack rotary 10 mounted along axis 5.

The vacuum plate 3 includes a support 11, mounted movable in translation along axis 5, so as to ability to describe forward / backward movement according to double arrow F. The support 11 has a cavity 12 of cylindrical shape, opening facing the product in strip 1. The cavity 12 receives an annular pile 13 for example in synthetic material, able to withstand without degradation the hot friction of the heating blade 7, and flexible enough not to destroy the cutting edge of blade 7 by friction.

Support 11 still receives a suction cup central 14 gripping / evacuation, mounted in the cavity 12 inside the annular pile 13. The suction cup 14 is presented as a circular plate, comprising a network of grooves 15 which converge radially towards a central hole 16 (see in particular figure 3). This suction cup 14 is extended towards the rear by a chimney 17, crossed by the central hole 16 and provided to be connected to a vacuum circuit or under pressure, not shown. In a variant not illustrated drawing, but easily conceivable, the suction cup 14 integral part of support 11, instead of being attached on this support 11.

The sample taking device, previously described, works as follows:

The product in band 1, in which we want to make a sample, is immobilized between the blade holder plate 2 and vacuum plate 3. A sample cutting cycle in product 1 is then sets off.

An electric current is sent to the blade 7, who then sees his temperature rise (this phase of heating can take place, or start, before immobilization of the product in a band 1). When the required temperature is reached, the vacuum plate 3 is moved in translation along the axis 5, in the direction of advance, that is to say of its approaching the plateau blade holder 2. At one point, the plate 9 of the plate blade holder 2 touches the product in strip 1, applied to the suction cup 14 of the vacuum plate 3. Then the vacuum is sent on the suction cup 14, and the advance movement of the vacuum plate 3 continues until the blade 7 either resting on the annular pile 13.

The rotary actuator 10 is then actuated, which triggers the rotation of the blade holder plate 2 and, in in particular, the rotation of the heated blade 7, according to a certain angle suitable for the material to be cut. When this angle is reached, the rotation of the blade holder plate 2 is stopped, and this plateau 2 moves back and also returns to its initial angular position. Under the combined action of rotary movement of the blade 7, of the heat thereof and mechanical pressure, fibers and / or particles of the product in strip 1 were cut, along a line circular, and we thus obtained a piece cut into disc shape, the same size as the blade 7. The cut piece is held by vacuum on the suction cup 14 of the tray 3. To evacuate this part cut out, just remove the vacuum, and possibly to assist the evacuation of said room by sending a brief overpressure in the suction cup 14.

Figure 4 illustrates a variant of the previously described sample taking, in which the circular blade 7, instead of being a heating blade, is mounted on an ultrasonic patch 18 placed on the support 4, between the base of this blade 7 and the bottom of the cavity 6. The patch 18 is connected to a source of ultrasound, not shown. The weakening of the product in band 1 is here caused by the ultrasonic vibration of blade 7 during the cutting phase, the functioning of the device being, for the rest, not modified from the previous description.

According to another variant, not illustrated in the drawing, the two previous embodiments are combined, that is to say that the circular blade 7 is both heated and ultrasonic vibration. The embrittlement of the product in strip 1, with a view to cutting it by blade 7, in this case results from the combination of a thermal action and an ultra-sonic action.

Figure 5 shows an automatic complete sampling, generally designated by the item 19, inserted in a production line and / or treatment of the product in band 1, between a part "upstream" 20 and a "downstream" part 21 of the line. The machine 19 itself comprises an input accumulator 22 and an output accumulator 23, disposed respectively upstream and downstream of the sampling device sample 24, located in the central part of this machine 19 and produced according to the preceding description.

The input accumulator 22 comprises two rollers fixed 25 and 26, and a vertically movable roller 27, on which pass the product in band 1. The movement of lowering of the movable roller 27 allows the upstream part 20 from the manufacturing and / or processing line to continue deliver the product in band 1, without slowing down, then that this product in band 1 is immobilized between the two plates 2 and 3 of the sample collection device 24, pressed against each other.

The output accumulator 23 plays the role exactly the opposite of the input accumulator 22. This output accumulator 23 also includes rollers fixed 28, 29, 30 and 31, and a vertically movable roller 32, on which the product passes in band 1. The movement lowering of the movable roller 32, simultaneous with that of the movable roller 27 of the input accumulator 22, allows the product in band 1 located downstream to compensate for the stop which imposed on him in the area of the sampling device sample 24, so that the output speed of the product in band 1 remains constant, in the downstream part 21 of the line.

In the case of a sampling device sample 24 with heating blade, the heating phase Advantageously intervenes before the immobilization of the produced in band 1, therefore in "masked time", for the sake of optimization.

After cutting and taking the sample by the device 24, the plates 2 and 3 having released the product in band 1, the two accumulators 22 and 23 return in initial position, by a reverse movement, therefore by ascent, respective movable rollers 27 and 32.

The structure and operation of input 22 and output 23 accumulators will not described in more detail, since these are devices commonly used in manufacturing lines and / or processing of strip products with scrolling.

As shown in Figure 6, which can be seen as a detail in Figure 5, the two plates 2 and 3 of the sample collection device 24 are mounted respectively on the two branches horizontal parallel of a U-shaped support 33, both plates 2 and 3 being thus maintained along the same axis 5. The support in "U" 33 passes on one side of the product in strip 1, while positioning the sampling device 24 at a point across the width of the product in strip 1. The "U" -shaped support 33 can be mounted mobile translation, perpendicular to the direction of advance of product in strip 1, by means of two slides lateral 34, so that it is possible to take samples samples across the full width of the strip product 1.

In a variant, illustrated in FIG. 7, the support in "U" is replaced by two carriages 35 and 36, sliding mounted on horizontal rails respective cross sections 37 and 38, on either side of produced in strip 1, the two carriages 35 and 36 carrying respectively the two plates 2 and 3 of the sampling 24. The two carriages 35 and 36 are movable, along the respective slides 37 and 38, using motorized drive devices respectively 39 and 40 which are perfectly synchronous, from so as to synchronize the movements of these two carriages 35 and 36, and thus maintain the two trays 2 and 3 along the same axis 5. This variant is advantageous, from the point of view of space.

Figures 6 and 7 again show the means motorized translational movement of the plate to depression 3 as well as the means of recovery and sample evacuation, the details of which are visible in figure 8.

Motorized means of translational movement of the vacuum plate 3 include a slide balls 41, and a jack 42, which allow to move and to guide in translation a movable bar 43 on which is fixed the support 11 of the vacuum plate 3.

The means of recovery and evacuation of the sample includes a receptacle 44, in the form of hopper, positioned under the vacuum plate 3. These means also include a conveyor 45, arranged transversely to the product in strip 1, under the receptacle 44, the conveyor 45 being shown here as an endless belt conveyor but which can be a conveyor of any type, for example pneumatic.

Thus, after the removal of the product sample in strip 1, and after deletion vacuum at the suction cup 14, the sample falls by gravity in receptacle 44, and it reaches the upper strand of the conveyor 45, whose role is to bring this sample be on one side of the line of manufacturing and / or processing, where it can be recovered manually by an operator, either in a more far from said line.

Figure 9, in which the numerical marks retain their previous meaning indicated in reference to figure 5, shows another gripping machine of samples 19, also inserted between a part upstream 20 and downstream part 21 of a production line and / or treatment of a product in strip 1, and comprising again an input accumulator 22 and an accumulator of outlet 23, arranged on either side of the sample collection 24.

The sample collection device 24 is here installed on a horizontal portion of the path of the produced in strip 1, the blade holder plate 2 being located above this product in strip 1, and the tray to depression 3 being located below. The annular pile 13 is thus arranged horizontally, its active surface being directed upwards, which makes it possible to carry it out as a regenerable pile, made of metal or melting point alloy very low, such as indium. An electrical resistance not shown, embedded in this metal or alloy, allows sending an electric heating current causing its fusion and its regeneration, when it is necessary. Note that, in this variant, unlike the example described above, the roller vertically movable 32 of the output accumulator 23 must describe an upward movement, simultaneously with the downward movement of the vertically movable roller 27 of the input accumulator 22, to compensate for the stop imposed on the product in band 1 in the area of the sample collection 24.

In the case of FIG. 9, where the device for sample 24 is installed on a horizontal portion of the path of the product in band 1, the evacuation and recovery of the cut sample cannot have using gravity as described above in reference to figure 8. The cut sample is finding it posed above the vacuum plate 3 horizontal, must be returned here to fall then in a receptacle, either released from the tray to depression 3 manually or by a gripper automatic, these means not being shown but being easily achievable.

The sampling machine 19, previously described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9, can be more or less automated. At simplest level of automation, the product in strip 1 being stationary between the input accumulator 22 and the output accumulator 23, only the sample collection 24 has a functioning automatically cycled, from the actuation of a pushbutton. At a higher level of automation, we can pre-program several samples, at different points on the width of the product in lane 1, and request that the samples taken be sent directly to this or that place. In the case of a regenerable annular pile 13, the operation of regeneration can be ordered either piecemeal by the operator, either automatically depending on preselected parameters.

The gripping device and machine previously described samples are applicable especially to taking samples in lines of fabric manufacturing and / or processing, if applicable with sample collection at positions different from the width of the fabric concerned.

• en modifiant des détails constructifs du dispositif ;
• en ayant recours à toutes solutions techniques équivalentes, par exemple en rendant le plateau porte-lame, ou les deux plateaux du dispositif, mobiles en translation ;
• en incorporant le dispositif dans une machine de prise d'échantillons comprenant des accumulateurs d'entrée et de sortie de structure différente mais équivalente, notamment avec des rouleaux mobiles d'entrée et de sortie dont les mouvements d'accumulation et de restitution du produit en bande ne sont pas verticaux, ces deux rouleaux pouvant ainsi être animés d'un mouvement circulaire par exemple en étant montés, dans des positions diamétralement opposées, sur un même bras ou balancier pivotant autour d'un axe central horizontal ;
• en incorporant le dispositif dans des machines de prise d'échantillons de conception différente plus ou moins complexes et plus où moins automatisées, ou au contraire simplifiées, pouvant être entre autres une petite machine de laboratoire, se posant sur une table et se limitant pratiquement au seul dispositif de prélèvement d'échantillon, et ne comportant aucun système de déplacement du produit ;
• en appliquant ce dispositif au prélèvement d'échantillons sur tous genres de produits en bande ou en feuille, avec ou sans défilement continu du produit.

One would not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined in the claims:

• by modifying constructive details of the device;
• by using any equivalent technical solution, for example by making the blade-holder plate, or the two plates of the device, mobile in translation;
• by incorporating the device into a sample-taking machine comprising input and output accumulators of different but equivalent structure, in particular with movable input and output rollers whose movements of accumulation and return of the product in band are not vertical, these two rollers can thus be animated in a circular movement for example by being mounted, in diametrically opposite positions, on the same arm or pendulum pivoting about a horizontal central axis;
• by incorporating the device into sampling machines of different designs that are more or less complex and more or less automated, or on the contrary simplified, which can be, among other things, a small laboratory machine, placed on a table and practically limited to only sample collection device, and having no product displacement system;
• by applying this device to the taking of samples on all kinds of strip or sheet products, with or without continuous scrolling of the product.

Claims (11)

Device for taking a sample from a strip or sheet product, scrolling or the judgment, characterized in that it consists essentially a blade holder plate (2) and a vacuum plate (3) arranged along the same axis (5), on either side of the strip or sheet product (1), the blade holder plate (2) being rotatably mounted (arrow R) around the aforementioned axis (5) and being associated with means motorized rotary drive (10), this plate (2) carrying a circular blade (7) facing the product in strip or sheet (1), while the tray depression (3) comprises an annular pile (13) provided for cooperate with the circular blade (7), and a suction cup central (14) connected to a vacuum circuit and / or under pressure, at least one of the two plates (2, 3) being movable in translation (arrow F) along the axis mentioned above (5) and associated with displacement means in translation (42), so as to allow the approximation and the distance between the two plates (2, 3). Sample collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate blade holder (2) still carries a circular plate (9) free rotationally mounted around the aforementioned axis (5), at the inside of the circular blade (7), and linked so flexible to the support (4) of said blade (7). Sample collection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blade circular (7) is a heating blade, connected by a connector (8) to an electrical source. Sample collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the circular blade (7) is a vibrating blade, of preferably a blade (7) mounted on an ultrasonic pellet (18) connected to a source of ultrasound. Sample collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the annular pile (13) consists of a material regenerable, and more particularly of a metal or alloy with a very low melting point, resistance heater being embedded in said annular pile (13). Sample collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in what the motorized drive means for rotating the blade holder plate (2) are constituted by a jack rotary (10), capable of having this plate (2) describe, and more particularly with the circular blade (7), a rotation (arrow R) at a predetermined angle, when each sample taking cycle. Sample collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the vacuum plate (3) is movably mounted in translation (arrow F) on a slide (41), its means of displacement in translation being notably constituted by a jack (42). Sample collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in the blade holder plate (2) and the depression (3) are carried respectively by the two parallel horizontal legs of a U-shaped support (33) which bypasses the strip or sheet product (1), the U-shaped support (33) being preferably mounted movable in translation, in a direction transverse to that of strip or sheet product (1), to allow taking samples at different points in the product width (1). Sample collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in the blade holder plate (2) and the depression (3) are carried respectively by two carriages (35, 36) movable in translation, so synchronized, on both sides of the product in band or in sheet (1), in a transverse direction, for allow different samples to be taken product width points (1). Sample collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that this device (24) is incorporated into a taking samples (19), itself inserted into a manufacturing and / or processing line for a product in continuously moving strip (1), the gripping machine of samples (19) comprising an accumulator input (22) and an output accumulator (23), arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the sample collection (24). Sample collection device according to claim 10, characterized in that it is completed by means of recovery and evacuation of the sample taken, comprising a receptacle (44) positioned under the vacuum plate, and a conveyor (45) arranged transversely to the product in strip (1), for bringing the sample to one side of the manufacturing and / or processing line, or at a location far from said line.

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