LEAD EDGE FEEDER WHEEL FOR CARTON MAKING MACHINE

Abstract

A lead edge feeder wheel used in a carton making machine, having a tread for friction contact with a cardboard during rotation to feed the cardboard into the carton making machine cycle by cycle in conjunction with the operation of wheel grids and a vacuum system, and one or multiple grooves extending along the tread for rendering a visual indication when the tread is worn off, avoiding biasing of the cardboard during feeding.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carton making machine technology and more particularly, to a lead edge feeder wheel for carton making machine that has grooves on the tread thereof that render a visual indication to remind the operator to replace the lead edge feeder wheel when it is worn off.

2. Description of the Related Art

A regular carton making machine 10, as shown in FIG. 1, generally comprises a feeding unit 20, at least one printing unit 30, a slotting unit 40 and a die cutting unit 50 for carton paper feeding, printing, slotting and creasing, and die-cutting operations respectively. Further, two or more printing units may be used for two-color or multicolor printing (one printing unit can only print one single color). The carton making machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 uses two printing units 30 and 30a.

Subject to the operation of the three rows of feeder wheels 21 and wheel grids 22 (see FIG. 2) of the feeding unit 20 in conjunction with a vacuum system, cardboard 60 is fed into the carton making machine 10. The conveyer system (not shown) is an enclosed greasing system in which all gearwheels, cams, wheel grid lifting mechanism and interrupter mechanism are enclosed, and the speed of the feeder wheels 21 is controlled subject to vertical movement of the wheel grids 22.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the feeder wheels 21 are elastic, capable of producing a high coefficient of friction with the cardboard 60. When the machine runs idle (interruption period), the wheel grids 22 are kept in a high position, avoiding direct contact between the cardboard 60 and the feeder wheels 21. When starting the feeding cycle, the wheel grids 22 are lowered from the high position in supporting the cardboard 60 to a low position below the elevation of the topmost edge of each feeder wheel 21, allowing direct contact between the cardboard 60 and the feeder wheels 21. At the beginning of the feeding cycle, the speed of the feeder wheels 21 is almost zero, however, the feeder wheels 21 can be accelerated rapidly to the 100% of the cutting speed of the machine and then kept in this speed during the whole feeding cycle to deliver the cardboard 60 to the first printing unit 30 in between an upper sheet-transfer wheel 31 and a lower impression wheel 32 that in turn transfer the cardboard 60 into the gap between an upper printing wheel 33 and a lower printing wheel 34 for printing a first color of a predetermined pattern. Thereafter, an upper sheet-transfer wheel 31a and a lower impression wheel 32a of the second printing unit 30a transfer the primarily printed cardboard 60 into the gap between an upper printing wheel 33a and a lower printing wheel 34a for printing a second color of the predetermined pattern. Thereafter, the cardboard 60 is transferred to the slotting unit 40 where the cardboard 60 is creased by an upper creaser wheel 41 and a lower creaser wheel 42 and slotted by an upper slotting wheel 43 and a lower slotting wheel 44. Thereafter, the cardboard 60 is transferred to the die cutting unit 50 and cut by an upper die-cutting wheel 51 and a lower die-cutting wheel 52 to remove the unnecessary part. Thereafter, the cardboard 60 is folded up into a predetermined shape through a folding unit (not shown) and properly glued by a gluing unit (not shown), and thus the desired carbon is obtained.

As the feeder wheels 21 and the cardboard 60 is kept in contact with each other under a high coefficient of friction, the feeder wheels 21 wear quickly with use. The allowable limit of wear of the feeder wheels 21 is about 1 mm. If the feeder wheels 21 are excessively worn, the following problems will occur:

1. When the outer diameter of the feeder wheels 21 become short due to heavy wear, the feeding speed become slow, resulting in inaccurate printing and affecting further slotting and creasing, and die cutting works.

2. After a long use in feeding small size cardboards to cause wearing of the middle feeder wheels, the lateral feeder wheels may remain intact. When the fabrication is changed to make large size cartons, the cardboard may be biased during feeding due to different friction resistance between the middle feeder wheels and the lateral feeder wheels, affecting further slotting and creasing, and die-cutting works.

As conventional lead edge feeder wheels for carton making machine do not provide any simple and effective warning design to remind the operator to get a replacement timely. Therefore, users may replace the feeder wheels after 4-6 months in service, or may measure the outer diameter of the feeder wheels to check their wearing status. When the outer meter of one feeder wheel becomes shorter than a predetermined value, the feeder wheel is replaced immediately. However, because the machine is not constantly in operation, a feeder wheel may be replaced too early or too late. If to replace feeder wheels subject to their diameter change, the user must frequently measure the outer diameter of the feeder wheels, preventing unaware overwear. Thus, fairly speaking, both the aforesaid method methods are not simple and effective scientific methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a lead edge feeder wheel for carton making machine, which gives a visual warning signal to remind the operator to replace the lead edge feeder wheel when the tread of the lead edge feeder wheel is worn off, assuring accurate cardboard feeding.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a lead edge feeder wheel comprises a tread for friction contact with a cardboard during rotation to feed the cardboard into the carton making machine, and at least one groove extending along the tread that renders a visual indication when the tread is worn off.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the lead edge feeder wheel further comprises an annular wheel body having an outer periphery forming the tread and an inner periphery opposing the outer periphery, a mounting hole surrounded by the annular wheel body, and a flange extending along the inner periphery of the annular wheel body and radially projecting into the mounting hole.

Further, a plurality of protruding portions are spaced around the inner periphery of the annular wheel body within the mounting hole and respectively perpendicularly extending across the flange. The protruding portions have a thickness greater than the flange. One protruding portion is splitted in the middle to facilitate splitting of the lead edge feeder wheel.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the lead edge feeder wheel further comprises an annular wheel body having an outer periphery forming the tread and an inner periphery opposing the outer periphery, a mounting hole surrounded by the annular wheel body, two beads respectively radially extending along two inner liners of the annular wheel body, and a plurality of protruding portions spaced around the inner periphery of the annular wheel body within the mounting hole and respectively connected between the two beads. One protruding portion is splitted in the middle to facilitate splitting of the lead edge feeder wheel.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the lead edge feeder wheel further comprises an arched wheel body having an outer periphery forming the tread and an inner periphery opposing the outer periphery and defining a semi mounting hole, and two wings respectively extended from two distal ends of the arched wheel body in direction toward each other.

The invention has the advantages as follows:

When the groove is worn off after a long use of the lead edge feeder wheel, it gives a visual warning signal to the operator, reminding the operator to replace the worn out lead edge feeder wheel timely so that the lead edge feeder wheel can feed a cardboard accurately, avoiding biasing of the cardboard during feeding or any further processing trouble.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further benefits, advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plain view of a conventional carton making machine.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view in an enlarged scale of a part of FIG. 1, illustrating the arrangement of the feeding unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating a cardboard feeding status of the lead edge feeder wheel of the conventional carton making machine.

FIG. 4 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel for carton making machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional applied view of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the lead edge feeder wheel attached to a mating wheel rim.

FIG. 6 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel for carton making machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional applied view of the second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the lead edge feeder wheel attached to a mating wheel rim.

FIG. 8 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel for carton making machine in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional applied view of the third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the lead edge feeder wheel attached to a mating wheel rim.

FIG. 10 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel for carton making machine in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional applied view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the lead edge feeder wheel attached to a mating wheel rim.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 4 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel 70 for carton making machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates the lead edge feeder wheel 70 attached to a mating metal wheel rim 80. The lead edge feeder wheel 70 is a one-piece elastic wheel made of a synthetic resin having a high coefficient of friction, such as urethane, polyurethane (PU) or the like. In this embodiment, the lead edge feeder wheel 70 comprises an annular wheel body 71 having a tread (outer periphery) 72 for friction contact with the workpiece (cardboard), and a mounting hole 73 surrounded by the inner periphery of the annular wheel body 71 for enabling the lead edge feeder wheel 70 to be mounted on the metal wheel rim 80. The lead edge feeder wheel 70 further comprises an inside flange 74 protruded from and extending along the inner periphery of the annular wheel body 71 and radially projecting into the mounting hole 73 for engaging into a locating groove 81 around the periphery of the metal wheel rim 80. Thus, the lead edge feeder wheel 70 is secured to the wheel rim 80 for synchronous rotation. As the wheel rim 80 is of the know art, no further detailed description in this regard is necessary.

The main feature of the present invention is outlined hereinafter. The lead edge feeder wheel 70 further comprises at least one groove 75 extending around the tread 72. When the groove 75 is worn off after a long use of the lead edge feeder wheel 70, it gives a visual warning signal to the operator, reminding the operator to replace the worn out feeder wheel timely so that the lead edge feeder wheel 70 can feed a cardboard accurately, avoiding biasing of the cardboard during feeding or any further processing trouble.

It is to be noted that the depth of the groove 75 is the maximum allowable limit of wear of the lead edge feeder wheel 70, normally about 1 mm.

When the groove 75 is worn off or become shadowed, it means the lead edge feeder wheel 70 must be replaced, otherwise the cardboard feeding speed will become excessively slow and the follow-up printing will be inaccurate, affecting further slotting creasing and die-cutting works.

Further, the structure of the lead edge feeder wheel may vary with the operating system used. The aforesaid lead edge feeder wheel 70 is configured for use in Sun Extend-O-Feed system. The lead edge feeder wheel 70a shown in FIG. 6 is configured for use in Snap-On system. FIG. 7 illustrates the lead edge feeder wheel 70a mounted on a mating wheel rim 80a. The lead edge feeder wheel 70b shown in FIG. 8 is configured for use in Prime Shur-Feed system. FIG. 9 illustrates the lead edge feeder wheel 70b mounted on a mating wheel rim 80b. The lead edge feeder wheel 70c shown in FIG. 10 is configured for use in Langston/Staley Rotofeed system. FIG. 11 illustrates the lead edge feeder wheel 70c mounted on a mating wheel rim 80c.

In the above description, a lead edge feeder wheel 70 for Sun Extend-O-Feed system is described in detail for easy understanding of the spirit and scope of the present invention. However, this is not a limitation. Other designs of lead edge feeder wheels 70a, 70b and 70c for use in different systems can be configured to provide grooves 75a, 75b or 75c for use as a visual warning mark for replacement when the lead edge feeder wheel 70a, 70b or 70c is worn off.

Further, the lead edge feeder wheels for different systems are structurally different. The lead edge feeder wheel 70a for Snap-On system, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, comprises an annular wheel body 71a, a flange 74a extending around the inner periphery of the annular wheel body 71a and radially projecting into the mounting hole 73a that is surrounded by the annular wheel body 71a, and a plurality of protruding portions 76a spaced around the inner periphery of the annular wheel body 71a within the mounting hole 73a and respectively perpendicularly extending across the flange 74a. The protruding portions 76a have a thickness greater than the flange 74a. One protruding portion 76a is splitted in the middle so that the lead edge feeder wheel 70a can be splitted from the split 79a of the protruding portion 76a.

The lead edge feeder wheel 70b for Prime Shur-Feed system, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, comprises an annular wheel body 71b, two beads 77b respectively radially extending along the two inner liners of the annular wheel body 71b, and a plurality of protruding portions 76b spaced around the inner periphery of the annular wheel body 71b within the mounting hole 73b that is surrounded by the annular wheel body 71b and respectively connected between the two beads 77b. One protruding portion 76b is splitted in the middle so that the lead edge feeder wheel 70b can be splitted from the split 79b of the protruding portion 76b.

The lead edge feeder wheel 70c for Langston/Staley Rotofeed system, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, comprises an arched wheel body 71c defining a substantially semicircular mounting hole 73c, two wings 78c respectively extended from the two distal ends of the arched wheel body 71c in direction toward each other for securing to the bottom edge of a semicircular wheel rim 80c to prevent loosing.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lead edge feeder wheel used in a carton making machine, comprising a tread for friction contact with a cardboard during rotation to feed said cardboard into the carton making machine, wherein the lead edge feeder wheel further comprises at least one groove extending along said tread for rendering a visual indication when said tread is worn off.

2. The lead edge feeder wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lead edge feeder wheel further comprises an annular wheel body having an outer periphery forming said tread and an inner periphery opposing said outer periphery, a mounting hole surrounded by said annular wheel body, and a flange extending along said inner periphery of said annular wheel body and radially projecting into said mounting hole.

3. The lead edge feeder wheel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lead edge feeder wheel further comprises a plurality of protruding portions spaced around said inner periphery of said annular wheel body within said mounting hole and respectively perpendicularly extending across said flange, said protruding portions having a thickness greater than said flange, one said protruding portion being splitted in the middle to facilitate splitting of the lead edge feeder wheel.

4. The lead edge feeder wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lead edge feeder wheel further comprises an annular wheel body having an outer periphery forming said tread and an inner periphery opposing said outer periphery, a mounting hole surrounded by said annular wheel body, two beads respectively radially extending along two inner liners of said annular wheel body, and a plurality of protruding portions spaced around said inner periphery of said annular wheel body within said mounting hole and respectively connected between said two beads, one said protruding portion being splitted in the middle to facilitate splitting of the lead edge feeder wheel.

5. The lead edge feeder wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lead edge feeder wheel further comprises an arched wheel body having an outer periphery forming said tread and an inner periphery opposing said outer periphery and defining a semi mounting hole, and two wings respectively extended from two distal ends of said arched wheel body in direction toward each other.