Machine for cutting panels.

Abstract

 The present invention relates to an improved machine for cutting panels, said machine being of the kind comprising a zone (B) for supplying panels (C) to be cut and a zone (A) for cutting panels according to pre-set and modifiable cutting configurations, said machine providing, in said supply zone, at least a longitudinal elongated member (3), substantially extending according to the direction of advancement of panels (C) to be cut, said machine being characterized in that said at least a longitudinal elongated member (3) is fixed substantially transversely with respect to the advancement direction of the panels to be cut, and in that said at least a elongated member is provided with a plurality of motion elements (4) for moving panels to be cut, said motion elements (4) being slidably and independently movable along said at least a longitudinal elongated member (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved machine for cutting panels.

[0002] More specifically, the invention concerns a machine of the above kind, permitting obtaining a better flexibility in cutting panels regardless their type and arrangement.

[0003] As it is well known, in the field of machines for cutting panels, particularly sawing wood panels, many solutions have been suggested during the last decades, all of them substantially aiming to optimise performances of machines in order to obtain maximum use flexibility.

[0004] Among the known solutions, it is for example possible mentioning the one described in the Italian Patent n° 1.298.389, in the name of Giben International, in the US patent n° 6,546,834, in the name of the same Giben, claiming the priority of the above Italian Patent, and European Patent EP 1 510 276 in the name of Valter Naldi.

[0005] Particularly, the solution described in the above mentioned Italian Patent (also filed as European Patent EP 0 963 270) comprises a cutting machine for cutting panels and the relevant cutting method, wherein the innovative solution suggested provides grasping elements constrained on the movable device so as to be movable according to a horizontal direction, obviously by suitable control means, i.e. according t a direction perpendicular with respect to the movable device advancement direction.

[0006] Said patent also provides an independent method claim, describing a method for cutting panels, wherein it is provided, as one of the characterising features, presence of grasping means (pliers), constrained to the movable device, and having the possibility of making (all of them, possibly only one) movements according to the horizontal direction, perpendicular with respect to the movable device advancement direction.

[0007] US patent n° 6,546,834, of the same Giben, claiming the priority of the above mentioned Italian Patent, describes and claims a method for cutting panels.

[0008] Finally, Nardi's European Patent concerns a machine for cutting panels.

[0009] Examining the specification and claims of the patent, it is noted that the innovative feature that the European Patent Office deemed as patentable, is a complicated system of interferences among areas of the different grasping means of two different cutting systems.

[0010] None of these solutions has a cutting structure with one or more longitudinal elongated members, i.e. extending according to the panel advancement direction and provided with at least a movement element, which is movable along the elongated member, according to said panel advancement direction.

[0011] It is therefore specific object of the present invention an improved machine for cutting panels, said machine being of the kind comprising a zone for supplying panels to be cut and a zone for cutting panels according to pre-set and modifiable cutting configurations, said machine providing, in said supply zone, at least a longitudinal elongated member, substantially extending according to the direction of advancement of panels to be cut, said machine being characterized in that said at least a longitudinal elongated member is fixed substantially transversely with respect to the advancement direction of the panels to be cut, and in that said at least a elongated member is provided with a plurality of motion elements for moving panels to be cut, said motion elements being slidably and independently movable along said at least a longitudinal elongated member.

[0012] According to the invention, there are provided, in said supply zone, at least two longitudinal elongated members, substantially extending along the advancement direction of the panels to be cut, substantially fixed transversely with respect to the advancement direction of the panels to be cut, each one of said at least two elongated members being provided with at least a relevant motion element for moving said panels to be cut, slidably movable along the relevant longitudinal elongated member, said relevant motion elements of the panels being independently movable each other along said panel advancement direction.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, said at least a motion element provides at least a grasping group, and/or at least a pushing group and/or at least a suction group, movable with respect to the relevant motion element, along said panel advancement direction.

[0014] Further, according to the invention, said at least a motion element provides a plurality of grasping group, and/or of pushing groups and/or of suction groups, independently movable with respect to the relevant motion element, along said panel advancement direction.

[0015] Still, according to the invention, said machine provides a plurality of longitudinal elongated members, fixed in a position substantially transversal with respect to the advancement direction of the panels to be cut.

[0016] Particularly, according to the invention, said at least two longitudinal elongated members are each one provided with a plurality of motion elements, particularly two or three motion elements.

[0017] Always, according to the invention, said motion elements provide at least a grasping group, and/or at least a pushing group and/or at least a suction group.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the invention, each one of said motion elements provides two, preferably three, grasping groups each one independently engageable with panels to be cut.

[0019] Still, according to the invention, each grasping group provides a plier that can be engaged or disengaged with said panels to be cut.

[0020] Particularly, according to the invention, said pliers are movable between two positions with respect to the relevant motion element, respectively a position of engagement with the panels to be cut, and a position of disengagement with the panels to be cut.

[0021] Preferably, according to the invention, in said disengagement position, said pliers are raised with respect to the working plane.

[0022] Still, according to the invention, said motion elements movable along said longitudinal elongated members are interchangeable motion elements.

[0023] Always, according to the invention, said machine provides one or more control units, controlling motion of said at least one longitudinal elongated member and/or of said at least one motion element and/or of said at least one grasping group and/or of said at least one pushing group and/or of at least one suction group.

[0024] Present invention will be described for illustrative but not limitative purposes according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a top schematic view of a first embodiment of the machine for cutting panels according to the invention;

figure 2 is a top schematic view of a second embodiment of the machine for cutting panels according to the invention;

figure 3 is a top schematic view of a third embodiment of the machine for cutting panels according to the invention;

figure 4 is a top schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the machine for cutting panels according to the invention;

figure 5 is a top schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the machine for cutting panels according to the invention;

figure 6 is a top schematic view of a sixth embodiment of the machine for cutting panels according to the invention;

figure 7 is a top schematic view of a seventh embodiment of the machine for cutting panels according to the invention;

figure 8 is a top schematic view of an eight embodiment of the machine for cutting panels according to the invention;

figure 9 is a lateral schematic view of a machine according to the invention;

figure 10 is a top view of an embodiment of a grasping group for a machine according to the invention;

figure 11 is a lateral view of the grasping group of figure 10;

figure 12 is a front view of the grasping group of figure 10; and

figure 13 is a top view of a second embodiment of a grasping group for a machine according to the invention.

[0025] In the various figures, the same elements will be indicated by the same references.

[0026] Observing the figures of the enclosed drawings, it is schematically shown a machine for cutting panels. Only inventive particulars of the machine are shown in the figures, the other parts being omitted for clarity reasons, not being part of the scope of the present invention.

[0027] Machine schematically shown in the figures provide on the front part a cutting zone, generically indicated with reference A, that will be not described in greater detail, since, as already said, not included within the scope of the present application, upward which it is realized a zone, generically indicated by reference B, for supplying and advancing panels to be cut.

[0028] Observing first figure 1 of the enclosed drawings, it is shown a first embodiment of the machine according to the invention, wherein a longitudinal elongated member £ is provided in said supply zone B, said member 3 substantially extending according to the advancement direction of the panels to be cut. Said elongated member 3 is fixed in its position transversal with respect to the advancement direction of panels to be cut.

[0029] In the machine as shown, elongated member 3 is provided with a plurality of elements 4 for moving panels to be cut. Said elements 4 are movable, sliding and independently each other, along the longitudinal elongated member 3.

[0030] In embodiment of figure 2, machine provides two longitudinal elongated members 3, substantially extending along the advancement direction of panels to be cut, and fixed in a position substantially transversal with respect to the advancement direction of the panels to be cut.

[0031] At least an element 4 for moving panels to be cut is provided on each elongated member 3, said element 4 being slidable along the same member 3.

[0032] Each motion element 4 is movable independently with respect to the others, along said advancement direction of the panels to be cut.

[0033] Observing now figure 3, it is observed an embodiment wherein said motion element 4 provides at least a grasping group 5. As an alternative, or in combination, it can provide at least a pushing group and/or at least a suction group, movable with respect to the relevant motion element 4, along the advancement direction of the panels.

[0034] In embodiment of figure 4, motion element 4 provides a plurality of grasping groups 5. As an alternative, or in combination, it can provide a plurality of pushing groups and/or of suction groups, movable independently each other with respect to the motion element 4, along the advancement direction of the panels.

[0035] Figure 5 is useful to indicate that machine according to the invention can provide a plurality of longitudinal elongated members 3, fixed in a position substantially transversal with respect to the advancement direction of the panels to be cut.

[0036] Observing the following figures 5 - 8, embodiments are shown wherein at least two longitudinal elongated members 3 are provided, each one, with a plurality of motion element 4 that can be two or three means 4. As already said, they can be comprised of at least a grasping group 5 and/or of at least a pushing group and/or at least a suction group.

[0037] As it can be observed, each grasping group 5 can engage independently with the panels to be cut.

[0038] In each embodiment, each motion means generically indicated by reference number 4, is movable along a slide (not shown) provided on elongated member 3 for advancing panels to be cut.

[0039] Each motion element 4 provides a grasping 5 or pushing group, that can comprise at least a pliers or pusher, and that can be replaceable or not.

[0040] In embodiments shown in the figures, said grasping 5 or pushing group provides three pliers grasping elements 6, which are independently movable for engaging or not with said panels to be cut (not shown).

[0041] In the embodiment of figure 13, motion element 5 shown has rotable pliers 6.

[0042] As it can observed particularly from figure 11, movement of single pliers is such to permit withdrawing pliers 6 from the position grasping panels, by a movement (in this case by a piston, but that can be obtained by different technical solutions) that, besides displacing backward pliers 6, lift the same with respect to the working plane.

[0043] Present invention has been described for illustrative, but not limitative, purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, nut it is to be understood that variations and/or modifications can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope, as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. Improved machine for cutting panels, said machine being of the kind comprising a zone (B) for supplying panels (C) to be cut and a zone (A) for cutting panels according to pre-set and modifiable cutting configurations, said machine providing, in said supply zone, at least a longitudinal elongated member (3), substantially extending according to the direction of advancement of panels (C) to be cut, said machine being characterized in that said at least a longitudinal elongated member (3) is fixed substantially transversely with respect to the advancement direction of the panels to be cut, and in that said at least a elongated member is provided with a plurality of motion elements (4) for moving panels to be cut, said motion elements (4) being slidably and independently movable along said at least a longitudinal elongated member (3).

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides, in said supply zone, at least two longitudinal elongated members (3), substantially extending along the advancement direction of the panels (C) to be cut, substantially fixed transversely with respect to the advancement direction of the panels to be cut, each one of said at least two elongated members (3) being provided with at least a relevant motion element (4) for moving said panels to be cut, slidably movable along the relevant longitudinal elongated member (3), said relevant motion elements (4) of the panels being independently movable each other along said panel (C) advancement direction.

3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least a motion element (4) provides at least a grasping group (5), and/or at least a pushing group and/or at least a suction group, movable with respect to the relevant motion element (4), along said panel (C) advancement direction.

4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least a motion element (4) provides a plurality of grasping group (5), and/or of pushing groups and/or of suction groups, independently movable with respect to the relevant motion element (4), along said panel (C) advancement direction.

5. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides a plurality of longitudinal elongated members (3), fixed in a position substantially transversal with respect to the advancement direction of the panels (C) to be cut.

6. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two longitudinal elongated members (3) are each one provided with a plurality of motion elements (4), particularly two or three motion elements (4).

7. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said motion elements (4) provide at least a grasping group (5), and/or at least a pushing group and/or at least a suction group.

8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that each one of said motion elements (4) provides two, preferably three, grasping groups (5) each one independently engageable with panels (C) to be cut.

9. Machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each grasping group (5) provides a pliers (7) that can be engaged or disengaged with said panels (C) to be cut.

10. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that said pliers are movable between two positions with respect to the relevant motion element (4), respectively a position of engagement with the panels to be cut, and a position of disengagement with the panels to be cut.

11. Machine according to claim 10, characterized in that, in said disengagement position, said pliers are raised with respect to the working plane.

12. Machine according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said motion elements (4) movable along said longitudinal elongated members (3) are interchangeable motion elements (4).

13. Machine according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it provides one or more control units, controlling motion of said at least one longitudinal elongated member (3) and/or of said at least one motion element (4) and/or of said at least one grasping group (5) and/or of said at least one pushing group and/or of at least one suction group.

Drawing