A CUSHION PRODUCING MACHINE

Description

Field Of The Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to a machine for converting a sheet-like stock material supplied, for example, in roll form into a cushioning product and, more particularly, to an assembly for such a machine which inhibits foreign objects from entering the cutting zone of the machine.

Background Of The Invention

[0002] In the process of shipping an item from one location to another, a protective packaging material is typically placed in the shipping container to fill any voids and/or to cushion the item during the shipping process. Some commonly used protective packaging materials are plastic foam peanuts and plastic bubble pack. While these conventional plastic materials seem to perform adequately as cushioning products, they are not without disadvantages. Perhaps the most serious drawback of plastic bubble wrap and/or plastic foam peanuts is their effect on our environment. Quite simply, these plastic packaging materials are not biodegradable and thus they cannot avoid further multiplying our planet's already critical waste disposal problems. The non-biodegradability of these packaging materials has become increasingly important in light of many industries adopting more progressive policies in terms of environmental responsibility.

[0003] These and other disadvantages of conventional plastic packaging materials have made paper protective packaging material a very popular alternative. One machine which converts paper into a packaging material includes a stock supply assembly, a forming assembly, a gear assembly, and a cutting assembly, all of which are mounted on the machine's frame. During operation of such a cushion producing machine, the stock supply assembly supplies the stock material to the forming assembly. The forming assembly causes the lateral edges of the sheet-like stock material to roll inwardly to form a continuous strip having lateral pillow-like portions and a thin central band. The gear assembly pulls the stock material through the machine and also coins the central band of the continuous strip to form a coined strip. The coined strip travels downstream to the cutting assembly which cuts the coined strip into pads of a desired length.

[0004] Various attempts have been made to inhibit access to the cutting assembly of a cushioning conversion machine. For example, a cushioning conversion machine has been provided with a solid cover which remained in a closed condition unless physically pushed upon by a dunnage stripe travelling through the exit opening. A modified version of this solid cover was a "curtain cover" formed from a plurality of fingers that were hinged to the machine in such a manner that they could be pushed outward by the approaching dunnage strip, but could not be pushed inward. However, either cover could be easily pulled open from the outside of the machine. Moreover, operation of the cutting assembly was completely independent from the condition of the cover, whereby the cutting assembly would continue to operate even when the cover was pulled open.

[0005] Another attempt made to inhibit access to the cutting assembly involved providing a cushioning conversion machine with a significantly long output chute that, by virtue of its length, would inhibit access to the cutting assembly. However, such an output chute added to the overall length of the machine, a disadvantage in the many packaging sites with limited space options. Also, such a long output chute complicated the discharge of shorter pads (i.e., pads shorter than the length of the chute). Moreover, operation of the cutting assembly was completely independent of the output chute whereby the cutting assembly would continue to operate even if a length foreign object was inserted into the output chute.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a machine according to Claim 1. Thus there is provided a cushion producing machine employing an access assembly downstream of the cutting assembly which is preferably open during the formation of a cushion and is closed prior to the initiation of a cutting process to inhibit access to the cutting assembly. Preferably, the machine is provided with a sensor which senses whether the access assembly is in an open or closed condition and which permits control of the cutting operation so that a cutting operation can only take place when the access assembly is in a closed condition. The access assembly may include a pair of flaps or valves, the positions of which are controllable so as to effectuate open and closed or semi-closed conditions or states far the access assembly. In accordance with the invention the access assembly is arranged in the exit opening of the machine and is controlled in time-dependent relation with the actuation of the cutting assembly. The access assembly can herein be arranged in close proximity to the cutting assembly so that the machine housing can be considerably reduced in size over machines which depend an a relatively long discharge path downstream of the cutting assembly to inhibit the entry of a foreign object into the cutting zone of the cutting assembly. In preferred embodiments of the invention, a machine for manufacturing a cushioning product stating from a multiply stock material or the like includes a frame having a housing with an exit opening, a stock supply supported by the frame, a forming assembly causing the lateral edges of the stock material to roll inwardly to form a continuous strip having lateral pillow-like portions ad a central band a gear assembly for feeding the stock material through the forming assembly and out the exit opening, a cutting assembly intermediate the gear assembly and the exit opening for cutting a determined length of the continuous strip to produce a cushioning product, and an access assembly for permitting the cushioning product to be fed therethrough and inhibiting access to the cutting assembly from outside the housing.

[0007] In one preferred embodiment the access assembly includes at least one swivelling valve in the exit opening movable by a drive member.

[0008] According to a further embodiment, two swivelling valves are arranged in the exit opening for movement toward and away from each other, wherein the swivelling valves are moved synchronously by a joint coupling mechanism from the opened to the closed position.

[0009] These and other features of the invention are fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following descriptive annexed drawings set forth in detail one illustrative embodiment, this embodiment being indicative of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0010] In the annexed drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective standing view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the different components within the housing of the device; and

Figures 3 and 4 show in each case a perspective view of two embodiments of the access assembly according to the invention.

Detailed Description Of The Invention

[0011] With reference to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, there is shown a cushion producing machine 10 which includes a frame 12 with a housing 14 arranged thereon which comprises a number of processing assemblies discussed more fully below for converting sheet-like stock material into a cushioning product. It is noted that the illustrated embodiment of the frame 12 and the housing 14 is exemplary and that the frame and housing as well as other components of the machine 10 can be adapted to the particular place in which the machine will operate. In the illustrated embodiment the frame 12 is constructed from a number of profiles for support of the several components of the machine 10 including a rod 16 which supports a roll R of sheet-like stock material, such as Kraft paper. The paper 18 is unwound from the roll R and carried via reversing rollers 20 to the open underside of housing 14. The strip of paper 18 undergoes a conversion operation in the housing 14 and is discharged through the exit opening 22 in the top of housing.

[0012] Figure 2 shows the different assemblies which cooperate to produce the cushioning product. In this figure the housing 14 of Figure 1 is omitted to reveal the assemblies within the housing. As can be seen the machine 10 further includes a conversion assembly 24 for converting the strip of paper 18 received from the roll R into a continuous strip of cushioning product and a cutting assembly 26 which cuts the continuous strip of cushioning product into cut pads of a desired length. The conversion assembly 24 includes a forming assembly 28 comprised of chute 30 with a forming frame 32 partially disposed therewithin, and a gear assembly 34 which coacts with the forming assembly to convert the sheet-like material into a continuous strip of cushioning product.

[0013] During the conversion process, the strip of paper 18 is fed through the forming assembly 28 wherein the lateral edges of the paper are caused to roll inwardly, such as in a spiralling fashion, to form a continuous strip 36 having lateral pillow-like portions and a thin central band. Through the forming process the thickness of the strip of paper is tripled. When triple-ply paper is used as the stock material, nine layers then lie on one another.

[0014] The gear assembly 34 includes a pair of enmeshed, toothed gears 38 forming a nip through which the strip of cushioning material 36 is fed and which coins the material as a result of the deformation by the teeth of the gears. It is also possible to use these toothed gears 38 to pull the strip of material upward in the direction of arrow P1. The gear assembly 34 is driven by the gear motor 40.

[0015] The cutting assembly 26 arranged above or downstream of the gear assembly 34 preferably includes a fixed blade 42 and a movable blade 43 which is driven by a cut motor 44.

[0016] Finally, an access assembly 46 in the form of two flaps, doors or valves 48 is arranged above or downstream of cutting assembly 26, with the valves proximate the exit opening 22 of housing 14. The valves 48 serve to permit or to substantially close off access to the cutting zone of the cutting assembly 26 through the opening 22 depending upon whether the valves are in a relative open or closed position. The valves 48 have a trailing position relative to the transporting direction P1 and leave a determined opening between the distal edges thereof when in a closed condition such that the formed paper strip 36 can be pulled out therebetween after being cut into a pad of a desired length by the cutting assembly 26. The position of the valves 48 is determined by a valve motor or similar motive means 50 and sensed by a sensor 52 which transmits a signal indicating the position of the valves to a control circuit, which is shown schematically by block 54 in Figure 2. The control circuit 54 also serves to control the gear motor 40, the cut motor 44 and the valve motor 50.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the access assembly 46 includes a front plate 56 and a parallel rear plate (not shown) which are mutually connected by spacer elements 58. The valves 48 swivel in the exit opening 22 on swivel shafts 60, 62 which have a parallel orientation. The swivel shafts 60, 62 are rotatably mounted in the plates with the end of the swivel shafts mounted in the front plate 56 protruding through the front plate in order to enable connection in each case to arms 64, 66, respectively. The other ends of the arms 64, 66 are mutually connected by an intermediate arm 68. Arranged on front plate 56 is the valve motor 50 which is connected pivotally to the arm 66 via a crank 70 and a crank arm 72. The valve motor 50 is energized and rotates in one direction so that the crank 70 turns, for instance, in the direction of arrow P3. This provides a reciprocating movement of crank arm 72 in the direction of arrow P4. The respective arms 64, 66 are thus caused to rotate about the axes of the swivel shafts 60, 62, respectively, thereby rotating the swivel shafts and causing the valves 48 mounted to the swivel shafts to be moved apart to a greater or lesser degree such that they are moved from a closed position, wherein the distal edges 74 of the valves lie substantially adjacent each other, to an open position, wherein the valves lie practically parallel to each other with their distal edges substantially separated.

[0018] Figure 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the drive mechanism for the access assembly 46. Arranged on front plate 56 is a solenoid 76 which serves as motive means for driving the arms 78, 80 connected to the swivel shafts 60, 62. The arms 78, 80 are embodied here as gear segments, the toothing of which is in engagement with a gear rack 82 which is joined to the solenoid pin 84. It will be apparent from Figure 4 that by energizing the solenoid 76 the pin 84 is pulled inwardly, carrying with it the gear rack 82, which rotates the two gear segments 78 and 80 and therewith the valves 48 of the access assembly 46.

[0019] In this embodiment the sensor 52 is embodied as microswitch, the arm 86 of which senses the position of the gear segment 78 via a roller 88 and thereby determines whether the valves 48 are in an open or closed condition. The sensor 52 generates a signal which is transmitted to the control circuit 54 in Figure 2 which, when the access assembly 46 is in its open position, renders inoperative the energizing of cut motor 44 of cutting assembly 26. The gear motor 40 powering the gear assembly 34 for through-feed of the strip of paper 36 can however be energized so that a determined strip can be discharged through the opening. Once the desired length of paper has been fed through the machine 10, the control circuit 54 commands the gear motor to stop and energizes the valve motor 50 or solenoid 76 to close the valves 48 of the access assembly 46. Once the sensor 52 has sensed that the valves 48 are in a closed condition and this information has been relayed to the control circuit 54, the control circuit energizes the cut motor 44 to cause the blades 42, 43 of the cutting assembly 26 to cut the strip of paper 36 to result in the appropriately sized length of cushioning product. Thereafter the user can pull the cut pad outward between the valves 48 to remove it from the machine for packaging a given item.

[0020] After the cutting operation is complete, e.g., the control circuit 54 has caused the blades 42, 43 to retract, the valve motor 50 can be energized to open the access assembly and the feed motor 40 can be started for renewed feed of the strip of paper 36 through the machine 10. It is noted that when closing of the valves 48 of the access assembly is prevented, for instance because of the presence of a foreign object between them, the control circuit 54 will not energize the cut motor 44 despite the possibility that the valve motor 50 for the access assembly has energized to close the valves. The interaction of the access assembly and the cutting assembly and gear assembly as controlled by the control circuit may be based on sensing of the states of the assemblies or based on a time dependant operation wherein the control circuit commands the respective assemblies to perform their operations based on a time sequence, or a combination of these control methods.

[0021] The invention is not limited to the above described embodiments. Many modifications of the invention given the preceding description will become apparent, all such modifications being within the scope of the invention. As an example, the sensor 52 may be embodied as a different sensor or as multiple sensors, such as separate sensors to determine if the access assembly is in an open position or a closed position. Moreover, opening or closing of the valves may be actuated by a variety of different actuation means. For example, the crank and linkage mechanism of Figure 3 could be combined with a pair of enmeshed partial gears such as illustrated in Figure 4, but without the intermediate gear rack, to effectuate control of the valves.

Claims

1. A machine (10) for converting a sheet-like stock material (18) into a cushioning product of a desired length, said machine comprising:

a frame (12) having a housing (14) with an exit opening (22);

a conversion assembly (24), mounted to the frame (12), which converts the sheet-like stock material (19) into a dunnage strip (36) and which feeds the dunnage strip (36) through the exit opening (22);

a cutting assembly (26), positioned upstream of the exit opening (22), which cuts the dunnage strip (36) to produce the cushioning product of the desired length;

characterized in that:

the machine (10) includes an access assembly (46) movable between an open condition which permits the cushioning product to be fed through the exit opening (22) and a closed condition which inhibits access to the cutting assembly (26) through the exit opening (22);

the machine (10) includes a control assembly (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) which allows operation of the conversion assembly (24) when the access assembly (46) is in the open condition and which prevents operation of the cutting assembly (26) unless the access assembly (46) is in the closed condition;
   wherein the control assembly (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) moves the access assembly (46) to the closed condition following deactivation of the conversion assembly (24); and
   wherein the control assembly (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) moves the access assembly (46) to the open condition following deactivation of the cutting assembly (26).

2. A machine (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control assembly (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) includes a sensor (52) for determining whether the access assembly (46) is in the closed condition and wherein the control assembly only allows operation of the cutting assembly (26) when the sensor (52) determines that the access assembly (46) is in the closed condition.

3. A machine (10) as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the control assembly (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) activates the conversion assembly (24) following deactivation of the cutting assembly (26).

4. A machine (10) as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the access assembly (46) includes at least one door (48) which moves between an open position and a closed position.

5. A machine (10) as set forth in the preceding claim, wherein the door (48) pivots between an open position and a closed position.

6. A machine (10) as set forth in the preceding claim, wherein the access assembly (46) includes two doors (48) which move between an open position at which their distal edges (74) are substantially separated and a closed condition at which distal edges (74) are substantially adjacent each other.

7. A machine (10) as set forth in the preceding claim, wherein the doors (48) pivot between the open position and the closed position.

8. A machine (10) as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the conversion assembly (24) includes a forming assembly (28) which forms the dunnage strip (36) from the sheet-like stock material (18) and a feed assembly (34) which feeds the dunnage strip (36) through the exit opening (22).

9. A machine as set forth in the preceding claim wherein the feed assembly (34) is a pulling assembly which is positioned downstream of the forming assembly (28) and which pulls the stock material (18) through the forming assembly (28).

10. A machine (10) as set forth in the preceding claim, wherein the pulling assembly (34) is a pulling/connecting assembly which connects the dunnage strip (36).

11. A machine (10) as set forth in the preceding claim wherein the pulling/connecting assembly (34) comprises a pair of gears (38) which coin the dunnage strip (36) as it passes therethrough.

12. A machine (10) as set forth in any of claims 8 - 11 wherein the conversion assembly (24) further includes a stock supply assembly, positioned upstream of the forming assembly (28), which supplies the sheet-like stock material (18) to the forming assembly (28).

13. A machine (10) as set forth in any preceding claim wherein the control assembly (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) includes motive means (50; 76) for moving the access assembly (46) between the open and closed conditions and a control circuit (54) for controlling the motive means (50; 70).

Ansprüche

1. Maschine (10) zum Umarbeiten bzw. Umformen eines bahnartigen Ausgangsmaterials (18) in ein Polstererzeugnis einer gewünschten Länge, wobei die Maschine umfaßt:

ein Rahmengestell (12) mit einem Gehäuse (14) mit einer Austrittsöffnung (22),

eine am Rahmengestell (12) angebrachte Umformeinheit (24), welche das bahnartige Ausgangsmaterial (18) in einen Polsterstreifen (36) (dunnage strip) umformt und den Polsterstreifen (36) durch die Austrittsöffnung (22) fördert,

eine stromauf der Austrittsöffnung (22) positionierte Schneideinheit (26), welche den Polsterstreifen (36) durchschneidet, um das Polstererzeugnis der gewünschten Länge zu erzeugen,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

die Maschine (10) eine Zugangseinheit (46) aufweist, die zwischen einem geöffneten Zustand, der eine Förderung des Polstererzeugnisses durch die Austrittsöffnung (22) gestattet, und einem geschlossenen Zustand, der einen Zugang zur Schneideinheit (26) durch die Austrittsöffnung (22) unterbindet, bewegbar ist, (und)

die Maschine (10) eine Steuereinheit (50,52,54;76,52,54) aufweist, welche einen Betrieb der Umformeinheit (24) gestattet, wenn sich die Zugangseinheit (46) im geöffneten Zustand befindet, und den Betrieb der Schneideinheit (26) unterbindet, solange sich die Zugangseinheit (46) im geschlossenen Zustand befindet,
   wobei die Steuereinheit (50,52,54;76,52,54) die Zugangseinheit (46) nach der Deaktivierung der Umformeinheit (24) in den geschlossenen Zustand bewegt, und
   wobei die Steuereinheit (50,52,54;76,52,54) die Zugangseinheit (46) nach der Deaktivierung der Schneideinheit (26) in den geöffneten Zustand bewegt.

2. Maschine (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuereinheit (50,52,54;76,52,54) einen Sensor (52) zum Bestimmen, ob sich die Zugangseinheit (46) im geschlossenen Zustand befindet, aufweist, und (wobei) die Steuereinheit einen Betrieb der Schneideinheit (26) nur dann zuläßt, wenn der Sensor (52) feststellt, daß sich die Zugangseinheit (46) im geschlossenen Zustand befindet.

3. Maschine (10) gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Steuereinheit (50,52,54;76,52,54) die Umformeinheit (24) nach der Deaktivierung der Schneideinheit (26) aktiviert.

4. Maschine (10) gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Zugangseinheit (46) mindestens eine Tür (48) aufweist, die sich zwischen einer Offenstellung und einer Schließstellung bewegt.

5. Maschine (10) gemäß dem vorangehenden Anspruch, wobei sich die Tür (48) zwischen einer Offenstellung und einer Schließstellung verschwenkt.

6. Maschine (10) gemäß dem vorangehenden Anspruch, wobei die Zugangseinheit (46) zwei Türen (48) aufweist, die sich zwischen einer Offenstellung, in der ihre distalen Ränder bzw. Kanten (74) im wesentlichen voneinander getrennt sind, und einer Schließstellung, in der die distalen Kanten (74) im wesentlichen nebeneinanderliegen, bewegen.

7. Maschine (10) gemäß dem vorangehenden Anspruch, wobei sich die Türen (48) zwischen der Offenstellung und der Schließstellung verschwenken.

8. Maschine (10) gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Umformeinheit (24) eine Formiereinheit (28) aufweist, welche den Polsterstreifen (36) aus dem bahnartigen Ausgangsmaterial (18) formt, sowie eine Zuführeinheit (34), welche den Polsterstreifen (36) durch die Austrittsöffnung (22) zuführt.

9. Maschine (10) gemäß dem vorangehenden Anspruch, wobei die Zuführeinheit eine Zugeinheit ist, die stromab der Formiereinheit (28) positioniert ist und das Ausgangsmaterial (18) durch die Formiereinheit (28) zieht.

10. Maschine (10) gemäß dem vorangehenden Anspruch, wobei die Zugeinheit (34) eine Zug-/Verbindungseinheit ist, welche den Polsterstreifen (36) verbindet.

11. Maschine (10) gemäß dem vorangehenden Anspruch, wobei die Zug-/Verbindungseinheit (34) ein Zahnradpaar (38) umfaßt, welches den Polsterstreifen (36) beim Durchlaufen desselben prägt.

12. Maschine (10) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 11, wobei die Umformeinheit (24) ferner eine stromauf der Formiereinheit (28) positionierte Ausgangsmaterial-Liefereinheit aufweist, welche der Formiereinheit (28) das bahnartige Ausgangsmaterial (18) zuliefert.

13. Maschine (10) gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Steuereinheit (50,52,54;76,52,54) eine Antriebseinrichtung (50; 76) zum Bewegen der Zugangseinheit (46) zwischen dem geöffneten und dem geschlossenen Zustand sowie eine Steuerschaltung (54) zum Steuern der Antriebseinrichtung (50;70) aufweist.

Revendications

1. Machine (10) servant à convertir un matériau (18) en forme de feuille en un produit de rembourrage d'une longueur souhaitée, ladite machine comprenant :

un cadre (12) ayant un boîtier (14) pourvu d'une ouverture de sortie (22);

un agencement de conversion (24) monté sur le cadre (12) qui convertit le matériau (19) en forme de feuille en une bande de matelassure (36) et qui amène la bande de bois de matelassure (36) via l'ouverture de sortie (22);

un agencement de coupe (26), placé en amont de l'ouverture de sortie (22), qui coupe la bande de matelassure (36) pour produire le produit de rembourrage de la longueur souhaitée;

caractérisée en ce que :

la machine (10) comprend un agencement d'accès (46) déplaçable entre un etat ouvert, qui permet au produit de rembourrage d'être amené via l'ouverture de sortie (22), et un état fermé, qui permet l'accès à l'agencement de coupe (26) via l'ouverture de sortie (22);

la machine (10) comprend un agencement de commande (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) qui permet le fonctionnement de l'agencement de conversion (24) lorsque l'agencement d'accès (46) se trouve à l'état ouvert et qui empêche le fonctionnement de l'agencement de coupe (26) à moins que l'agencement d'accès (46) se trouve à l'état fermé;
   dans laquelle l'agencement de commande (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) déplace l'agencement d'accès (46) vers l'état fermé, après la désactivation de l'agencement de conversion (24); et
   dans laquelle l'agencement de commande (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) déplace l'agencement d'accès (46) vers l'état ouvert après la désactivation de l'agencement de coupe (26).

2. Machine (10) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'agencement de commande (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) comprend un capteur (52) servant à déterminer si l'agencement d'accès (46) se trouve à l'état fermé et dans laquelle l'agencement de commande permet seulement le fonctionnement de l'agencement de coupe (26) lorsque le capteur (52) détermine que l'agencement d'accès (46) se trouve à l'état fermé.

3. Machine (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'agencement de commande (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) actionne l'agencement de conversion (24) après la désactivation de l'agencement de coupe (26).

4. Machine (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'agencement d'accès (46) comprend au moins une porte (48) qui se déplace entre une position ouverte et une position fermée.

5. Machine (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans laquelle la porte (48) pivote entre une position ouverte et une position fermée.

6. Machine (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans laquelle l'agencement d'accès (46) comprend deux portes (48) qui se déplacent entre une position ouverte, dans laquelle leurs bords distaux (74) sont sensiblement séparés, et un état fermé, dans lequel les bords distaux (74) sont sensiblement adjacents entre eux.

7. Machine (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans laquelle les portes (48) pivotent entre la position ouverte et la position fermée.

8. Machine (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'agencement de conversion (24) comprend un agencement de formage (28) qui forme la bande de matelassure (36) à partir du matériau (18) en forme de feuille, et un agencement d'amenée (34) qui amène la bande de matelassure (36) via l'ouverture de sortie (22).

9. Machine selon la revendication précédente, dans laquelle l'agencement d'amenée (34) est un agencement de traction qui est placé en aval de l'agencement de formage (28) et qui tire le matériau (18) à travers l'agencement de formage (28).

10. Machine (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans laquelle l'agencement de traction (34) est un agencement de traction/liaison qui est relié à la bande de matelassure (36).

11. Machine (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans laquelle l'agencement de traction/liaison (34) comprend un couple d'engrenages (38) qui reçoit la bande de matelassure (36) lorsqu'elle passe au travers.

12. Machine (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 11, dans laquelle l'agencement de conversion (24) comprend en outre un agencement d'amenée de matériau, placé en amont de l'agencement de formage (28), qui amène le matériau (18) en forme de feuille à l'agencement de formage (28).

13. Machine (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'agencement de commande (50, 52, 54; 76, 52, 54) comprend des moyens moteur (50; 76), servant à déplacer l'agencement d'accès (46) entre les états ouvert et fermé, et un circuit de commande (54) , servant à commander les moyens moteurs (50; 70).

Drawing