Machine for creasing and cutting endless webs of cardboard and the like

Abstract

The present invention describes an apparatus for creasing and cutting an endless web of cardboard. A pair of rollers operates on the web while another pair of rollers is in an inactive position where the tools mounted on the rollers can be moved to new positions. When it is time for different operations to be performed on the web the original rollers working on the web are removed from their working position and the rollers previously in the inactive position are moved to the working position. The rollers now in the working position have had their tools aligned for the new operation while they were in the inactive position. The rollers originally in the working position are now in an inactive position where the tools on these rollers can be aligned for another operation. Each pair of rollers is independently driven to spin independent of the position of the roller. This independent driving of the pairs of rollers allows the rollers in the inactive position to be spun up to speed before being moved into the working position.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for creasing and cutting a web of cardboard, the apparatus comprising: first and second pairs of creasing rollers;   first and second pairs of cutting rollers;   oscillating rotary means for holding in position said first and second pairs of said creasing and cutting rollers, said oscillating rotary means rotating into one of a first and second angular positions, said first angular position positioning said first pairs of said creasing and said cutting rollers into a working position, and positioning said second pairs of said creasing and cutting rollers into an inactive position, said second angular position positioning said first pairs of said creasing and said cutting rollers into an inactive position and positioning said second pairs of said creasing and cutting rollers into said working position, said first pair of creasing rollers is held opposite said .[.second.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.pair of .[.creasing.]. .Iadd.cutting .Iaddend.rollers relative to an axis of rotation of said oscillating rotary means, said .[.first.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.pair of cutting rollers is held opposite said second pair of .[.cutting.]. .Iadd.creasing .Iaddend.rollers relative to said axis of rotation of said oscillating rotary means;   tool position means for positioning creasing and cutting tools on said creasing and cutting rollers, when said creasing and cutting rollers are in said inactive positions; and roller transmission means for together rolling said first pair of creasing and cutting rollers and for together rolling said second pair of creasing and cutting rollers independently of said first pair, said roller transmission means rolling said rollers independently of said working and inactive positions of said first and second pairs of creasing and cutting rollers.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said oscillating rotary means has side pieces with a bearing structure for said rotating, said side pieces having tools wheel sectors, said oscillating rotary means also having pinion means for engaging with said tooth wheel sectors and for forcing said rotator.   
     
     
       3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said oscillating rotary means has an intermittor means for rotating siad oscillating rotary means in a smooth, fast and accurate manner between said first and second annular positions;   
     
     
       4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein: one of said cutting rollers is axially movable in order to bring together and move apart said cutting tools.   
     
     
       5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein: said one cutting rollers is mounted in a angularly mobile seating, said angularly mobile seating being equipped with a thread;   said side pieces having a corresponding thread interacting with said thread on said seating of said cutting roller; and   actuator means for angularly oscillating said seating of said cutting roller for controlling axial movement of said one cutting roller.   
     
     
       6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, further comprising: supports on said side pieces for mounting said cutting rollers, said supports being openable to remove and replace said cutting rollers.   
     
     
       7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, further comprising: a support means for supporting said cutting rollers during said opening of said supports.   
     
     
       8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said rotary transmission means has a first part and a second part, said first part mounted on a first side of the apparatus and connected to said first pairs of creasing and cutting rollers, said second part substantially similar to said first part and mounted on a second side of the apparatus, said second part being connected to said second pairs of creasing and cutting rollers, said first part and said second part operating said first and second pairs of creasing and cutting rollers independent of said working and inactive positions of said oscillating rotary means.   
     
     
       9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein: each of said first and second part of said rotary transmission means has a central pulle and a flexible transmission means for said connection to respective said pairs of creasing and cutting rollers.   
     
     
       10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising profiles between said first and second pairs of creasing and cutting rollers, said profiles having support and sliding surfaces and defining two alternate conveying paths for the flat material. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein: each of said pairs of creasing rollers may be brought together and moved apart in order to regulate creasing pressure.   
     
     
       12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein: one of said rollers of said each pair of creasing rollers is angularly movable about an axis parallel to the axis of said one roller in order for said bringing together and moving apart.   
     
     
       13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein: said one of said creasing roller is accommodated in eccentric seatings and said eccentric seatings are capable of rotating in order to cause said angular movement.   
     
     
       14. An apparatus in accordance wth claim 1, wherein: one of said cutting tools is mounted resiliently on one of said cutting rollers.   
     
     
       15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said tool position means has a fork means for simultaneous displacement of one of said creasing and cutting tools.