Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Overedge assembling means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-29
2001-11-06
Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3723)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Overedge assembling means
C029S243500, C029S243518
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311379
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to folding machines.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When producing folded seam connections between partial surfaces of flat material closed in a tubular form or pipe segments, folding machines are used which comprise a machine stand, a fixed wheel, a pressing wheel which is able to displace in relation to the fixed wheel, and a closing disk which is displaceable in relation to the pressing wheel. In a first operation cycle, a flange-like outward extending brim or border is formed on each one of the pipe segments to be interconnected. To this end, matching folding wheels are used as a pressing wheel and a fixed wheel. In a second operation cycle, the pipe segments are joined to the two flange-like brims which are matching so as to achieve a folded seam connection. In particular, a single border is inserted into a double border, the double border being clamped together at individual locations. The, thus, assembled parts are put over the fixed wheel in such a manner that the joining region extends in its plane. For beading, the flange-like brim or the lower side of the double border engages the pressing wheel, and the closing disk is pressed or advanced step by step against a flange rim which projects somewhat in upward direction until the folded seam connection is completed. In this operation a substantially cylindrical disk is used as a fixed wheel, and a bearing disk as a pressing wheel. To rotate the pipe segments, either the fixed wheel and/or the pressing wheel may be driven. By a folding machine, lids or caps are attached to pipe segments in some cases.
From EP 104 145 a folding closure machine is known wherein a closing disk slide is supported by a rest so as to be parallel displaceable along a guide plate. The rest is mounted on a advance slide directly above the propping or pressing wheel. To exchange the pressing wheel or to use a folding wheel or a supporting disk in accordance with the operating cycle, the rest has to be detached, lifted off, put on again and fastened. This work is extremely troublesome, because the rest together with the closing disk slide are very heavy. Therefore, it is not efficient to use the machine alternately for both operation cycles mentioned above which, however, cannot be avoided with small series. Further disadvantages of the known approach consist in that the distance between the closing disk and the pressing wheel is not adjustable, and the pressing surface of the closing disk has always the same orientation, although the thickness of a folded seam connection and the orientation of the surface completely pressed by and facing the closing disk depend on the type of folded seam connection and on the flat material used. When using a closing disk which has always the same orientation, the difference in orientation of the surface to be pressed cannot be taken into account.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to find a folding machine which is simple in construction, where the pressing wheel can be exchanged with a low labor consumption, and where the pressing surface of the closing disk is not oriented in a fixed manner.
Within the framework of the present invention, it has been recognized that a guiding arrangement for a first bearing part, on which the closing disk is rotatably supported, can also be formed at the side of the pressing wheel averted from the fixed wheel or behind the same. In this way, at least removal of the guiding arrangement or of a rest is no longer necessary. In order to avoid removal of the first bearing part, the guiding arrangement should be formed in such a manner that the first bearing part, displaced to a release stop, as well as the closing disk attached to it are sufficiently spaced from the pressing wheel so that the latter can unimpededly be exchanged. It has been found that, with only a single straight-line motion mechanism, the first bearing part has to be shifted rearwards very far, or, in the case of a guide which is rearwards and upwards inclined, the guiding arrangement has to be constructed undesirably high.
With the approach according to the invention, the first bearing part is guided by a guiding arrangement for achieving a pivoting advance between a final releasing position and a final pressing position. With the pivoting advance motion, thus achieved, the distance between the marginal regions of the closing disk which project towards the fixed wheel and of the pressing wheel as well as the orientation of the closing disk is varied between both final positions. By the pivoting reset and advance, the guiding arrangement solves both the problem of releasing the pressing wheel and the problem of the pressing surface orientation in the region of the final pressing position. When resetting, the closing disk is moved at the same time rearwards and away from the pressing wheel in upward direction. In this way, with a little shift of position, an extremely large free space can be created above the pressing wheel. When advancing in the region of the final pressing position, the orientation of the pressing surface of the closing disk changes within a small angular range which is preferably chosen in such a manner that the pressing surface can be oriented for the current folded seam connections with small advancing differences. In order to attain an optimum orientation facility over a larger angular range an adjusting device for adjusting the orientation of the closing disk relative to the guiding arrangement is provided according to a preferred embodiment. Choosing the adjustment of orientation involves in each case also the selection of a distance between the closing disk and the pressing wheel at the final pressing position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3067709 (1962-12-01), Conti et al.
patent: 3914971 (1975-10-01), Colbath
patent: 4006520 (1977-02-01), Wachter
patent: 4538334 (1985-09-01), Binggeli
patent: 5228190 (1993-07-01), Sawa
patent: 5604966 (1997-02-01), Morello et al.
patent: 2447037 (1976-01-01), None
patent: 0104145 (1984-03-01), None
Loser Anton
Torre Juan
Banks Derris H.
Farber Martin A.
Tormec AG
Wilson Lee
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