Method and Device for Conveying Polymeric Oblates to Casting Machines and Application

Abstract

A method for conveying pre-printed in-mould labels (IML) in a roller to a casting machine that moulds items such as cups or lids, where the in-mould labels must be integrated in items by being partially punched such that they remain fixed to the roller in points or bridges, after which the roller with the semi-punched in-mould labels is placed on a device from which the roller is rolled out in stages, such that the in-mould labels pass through a tool with holes which are shaped to fit the circumference of the in-mould labels. The in-mould labels are then removed with a device such as a robot with vacuum suction that tears over the river bridges that fix the in-mould labels to the roller and transfers them to the injection casting tool. An apparatus for achieving the method includes an unwinder for attaching a roller of in-mould labels from which the rolled-up in-mould labels are fed through a tool that contains holes which are shaped to fit the circumference of the in-mould labels.

Claims

1. A method for conveying of pre-printed polymer oblates (IML), which are e.g. produced in a so-called flexo printing machine and supplied in a roller, to a casting machine such as an injection press that moulds items such as cups or lids, where the oblates will be integrated in the items characterized in semi-punching of the oblates such that they remain attached to the roller in the connection points or bridges, after which the roller with the semi-punched oblates is attached to a device (1) from which the roller with the oblates is rolled out in stages, such that the oblates pass through a tool (5) with holes (9) that are shaped to comply to the oblate form, after which an oblate is removed with a device such as a robot that uses vacuum suction to tear over the bridges that hold the oblates onto the roller and then transfers the oblates to the injection press.

2. Device (1) that is suitable for conveying roiled-up, pre-printed polymer oblates, which are partially punched as indicated in the method according to claim 1, characterized in the fact that the device (1) includes an unwinder (10) for attaching a roller of ablates from which the rolled-up oblates are fed through a tool (5) that contains holes (9) which are shaped to fit the circumference of the oblates.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2 which is characterized in a splice-table (2) being placed between the unwinder (10) and the tool (5) after which the rolled-up oblates pass after the unwinder (10) from which the rolled-up oblates are conveyed past a web guide (3) and then past a delivery board (4) that feeds the rolled-up oblates for positioning through the tool (5).

4. Device (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in the fact that the apparatus (1) is provided with a row (6) which can pull rolled oblates forward through the device (1), and wherein the feeder (6) is placed after the tool (5).

5. Device (1) which, according to one or more of claims 2 to 4, is characterised in that the device (1) includes a buffer system (8) that contains a number of rollers for equalisation of traction in rolled-up oblates.

6. Device (1), which, according to one or more claims 2 to 5, is characterised in that the device (1) includes a winder (7) for rolling-up roller residue after removal of oblates.

7. Application of the device (1) according to one or more of claims 2 to 6 for conveying of pre-printed, semi-punched polymer oblates from a roller to a robot that tears off the individual oblates from the roller and transfers them to an injection moulding tool that moulds items such as cups or lids, onto which the oblates are integrated in the injection press, as indicated by the method described according to claim 1.

Description

[0030] The invention will now be explained more further with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus which is suitable for conveying rolled-up, pre-printed polymer oblates (IML).

[0032] FIG. 2 shows, just as FIG. 1, the same apparatus which is suitable for conveying rolled-up, pre-printed polymer oblates (IML), but from a different angle.

[0033] FIG. 1 denotes, as 1 shows, an apparatus which is suitable for conveying rolled-up, pre-printed polymer oblates (IML), which are partially punched, as indicated, by a process which includes that the oblates are semi-punched so that they remain attached to the roller in the bridges, according to which the roller with the semi-punched oblates are placed in an apparatus 1 from which the roller with the oblates is rolled out in stages, feeding the oblates through a tool 5, which consists of an upper and lower part with holes 9 which are shaped to fit the circumference of the oblates, after which an oblate is removed with a unit such as a robot with vacuum suction that tears over the bridges that fix the oblates to the roller and transfers the oblates to the injection press.

[0034] In a preferred processing method, the tool 5 is prepared so that the upper part and the lower part with holes 9 are clamped around the film web with oblates for the fixation of the film before the tearing off of an oblate.

[0035] The apparatus 1 comprises an unwinder 10 for attaching a roller of oblates from which the rolled-up oblates are conveyed through a tool 5 that is formed with holes 9 which are shaped to fit the circumference of the oblates.

[0036] In a preferred processing method as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the apparatus is further characterised in a splice table 2 being positioned between the unwinder 10 and the tool 5, which the rolled-up ablates pass after the unwinder 10 from which the rolled-up oblates are conveyed past a so-called web guide 3, and then past a delivery board 4 that guides the rolled-up ablates for positioning through the tool 5

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the apparatus 1 is also fitted with a feeder 6, which can advance the rolled-up oblates through the apparatus 1, where the feeder 6 is positioned after the tool 5.

[0038] The apparatus 1 also contains a buffer system 8 which comprises a plurality of spring-loaded rollers to compensate for pulling the rolled-up oblates.

[0039] The buffer system reduces the instantaneous characteristics of the rolled-up oblates when they are advanced by the feeder 6.

[0040] FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the apparatus 1 also comprises a winder 7 for rolling up roller residue after removal of oblates.

[0041] As stated, the invention comprises the use of said apparatus 1 for conveying pre-printed, semi-punched polymer ablates from a roller to a robot that tears off the individual oblates from the roller and transfers them to an injection press that moulds items such as cups or lids where the ablates are integrated into the injection press.