WEB MEANDERING CONTROL DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a web meandering control device for controlling meandering of a web and a method of controlling based on patterns printed on the web.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Figs. 5 (a) and 5 (b) show a conventional web meandering control device applied to the web processing device. The web 1 is rewound from the rewind reel 2 and guided by a deflector roll 3A and a guide roll 3B to travel in the arrow-marked direction X to be subjected to predetermined processing work at a processing device 4. It is to be noted that no mechanism for driving the web to travel is illustrated.

[0003] One example of the web 1 is illustrated in Fig. 6 which is a plan view of the embodiment. The web 1 is printed with identical patterns 1A in plural rows on the upper surface thereof (in Fig. 6, for example, in five rows arranged widthwise in the arrow-marked direction Y perpendicular to the arrow marked direction X). It is to be noted that the intervals between respective neighboring rows are equal to each other where patterns 1A are repeatedly printed with a fixed space therebetween taken in the arrow-marked direction X which corresponds to the web travel direction.

[0004] There are many types of processing device 4, one of which is referred to as a longitudinal cutting device which separates the web along the direction X into plural sections. The web 1 which has arrived at the processing device 4 is cut thereby at a position between respective neighboring rows to be formed into a plurality of sections 1B.

[0005] The processing device 4 cuts the web 1 in such a way that each cut-off strip 1B has an equal width in the arrow-marked direction Y with patterns 1A each taking a center position in the width direction of each section 1B. The marginal portions 1C and 1D are discarded while being cut off by the processing device 4. Another example of the processing device 4 includes a punching type which punches the web to cut off the patterns 1A individually. Needless to say, the processing device 4 is not limited to the above two examples but there are a variety of types.

[0006] By the way, in case the processing device 4 is a longitudinal cutter, if the web 1 deviates in the width direction Y from the predetermined travel course, the patterns 1A is caused to swerve from their central position to the point where the patterns 1A themselves are severed. Also, in case the processing device 4 is a punching machine, if the web deviate toward the width direction Y from the predetermined travel course, the precise punching work along the circumference of the patterns 1A will not be performed with the result that the patterns 1A themselves are severed.

[0007] To cope with this problem, a web meandering control device which performs the widthwise control of the web travel course was provided. Referring to Fig. 5, said web meandering control device is comprised of a web end sensor 5 to detect the widthwise position of the travel course of the web 1, an actuator 6 to shift a rewind reel 2 in the direction Y, an actuator control section 7 to drive the actuator 6 into the arrow marked direction Y in accordance with results detected from the web end sensor 5.

[0008] Said web end sensor 5 is for example a sensor to optically detect the position of the web end 1E in the direction of the arrow mark Y (hereinafter referred to as "web end"), said web end sensor being set close to the rewind reel 2, in other words, between the deflector roll 3A and the guide roll 3B.

[0009] Within the actuator control section 7, the web end reference position is set beforehand as a reference position of the web end 1E and a control signal is transmitted to the actuator 6 such that the difference between the web end detection signal detected by the web end sensor 5 and said web end reference position stays beneath the threshold value.

[0010] By operating the actuator 6 in accordance with the control signal received from the actuator control unit 7, the rewind reel 2 is shifted in the arrow mark +Y direction or -Y direction to rectify the position of the web end with respect to the arrow marked direction Y such that the web end 1E coincide with the web end reference position.

[0011] In this way, the conventional web meandering control device attempts to prevent the above mentioned problem observed in the working process of the processing device 4 by monitoring the web end1E to stabilize the position of the web 1 with respect to the arrow marked Y direction.

[0012] However, the following problem can arise in case where it is only attempted to control the web end 1 to take a stabilized position. Specifically, there is a case as shown in Fig. 7 where the distance L0 from the printed web end 1E to the end of the printed pattern 1A varies at different parts of the web 1 with respect to the direction X. In such a case, it is impossible to address the problem simply by controlling the web 1 such that the web end 1E coincide with the web end reference position if the processing device 4 is of a longitudinal cutter type as described referring to Fig. 6, wherein the defective products such as the pattern 1A printed off the center of the cut-off strip 1B or the severed pattern are observed. Similar cases are seen with the punching type processing device mentioned above; that is, it is impossible to punch the pattern precisely along the circumference of the pattern 1A to turn out the defective products as a result of the pattern themselves being severed.

[0013] Therefore, there was proposed a technique as shown in Fig. 8, wherein rectifying misregistration of the patterns 1A was attempted by printing a line 1F on the web in the neighborhood of the web end which will not interfere with the patterns 1A simultaneously with printing the patterns 1A on the web 1, detecting said line 1F by a line sensor 8 in place of the web end sensor 5 at the time of feeding the web 1 to the processing devise 4 and preventing misregistration of the web in the arrow-marked direction Y by means of the actuator control unit 7 and the actuator 6 such that the line 1F coincides with a line reference position preset by the line 1F.

[0014] However, this technique has a problem of inviting extra cost of printing ink consumption as an inevitable step of printing the line 1F is involved.

[0015] In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed to provide a web meandering control device which controls the travel of the web 1 such that the patterns 1A1 coincides with the preset pattern end reference position. (Patent Literature 1)

[0016] As shown in Fig. 9, said web meandering control device takes the form of the web meandering control device shown in Fig. 5 which is additionally provided with a pattern detection camera 9 to photograph the patterns 1A downstream of the web end sensor 5, in the neighborhood of the guide roll 3B and immediately upstream of the processing device 4. In this embodiment, the control is done as follows.

[0017] From the image of the pattern 1A photographed by the pattern detection camera 9, the misregistration amount of the pattern end 1A1 off the pattern end reference position is detected to form a correction signal. At the time of controlling the actuator 6 by the actuator control unit 7, the web end reference position is rectified by said correction signal such that the web end 1E misregistration detected by the web end sensor 5 off the web end reference position becomes zero.

[0018] Specifically, when the misregistration of the pattern end 1A1 off the pattern reference position is toward the +Y direction, the web end reference position is rectified by the correction signal toward the -Y direction. On the other hand, when the misregistration of the pattern end 1A1 off the pattern reference position is toward the -Y direction, the web end reference position is rectified by the correction signal in the + Y direction. In this way, the travel course of the web is controlled by rectifying the web end reference position such that the pattern end 1A1 coincides with the pattern reference position.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0019] Patent Literature 1: Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-122973.

[0020] US 4,848,632 describes a method of guiding a web of paper of foil material in a web-guiding device, such web having print marks applied to it at least over stretches of the web, as well as to such a web-guiding device with a correcting device, the latter being adjustable when the center of the web runs off course and with a controlling system connected to an edge-sensing system, whereby the position of the print marks relative to an imaginary guide line is controllable over stretches of the web carrying print marks, and additional correction relating to the latter can be made, if required. Document US 4,848,632 is thus considered to represent the closest prior art and discloses a web meandering control device and method according to the preamble of claims 1 and 4.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0021] However, in the web meandering control device described referring to Fig. 9, since the web end sensor 5 is arranged in the neighborhood of the rewind reel 2 whereas the pattern detection camera 9 is arranged immediately upstream of the processing device 4 installed downstream of and away from web end sensor 5, the response delay of the pattern end detection signal caused by the feedback control by means of the image photographed by the pattern detection camera 9 is greater than the response delay caused by feedback control of the web end detection signal detected by the web end sensor 5, creating the problem of control instability due to hunting.

[0022] To remove such problem, some measures such as making the gain of the pattern end detection signal less than that of the web end detection signal or filtering the pattern end detection signal are suggested. These measures tend to harm effective use of the pattern end detection signal photographed by the pattern detection camera 9.

[0023] The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a web meandering control device and its method which are capable of performing widthwise control of the web travel course effectively based on the pattern reference.

SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS

[0024] In order to solve the above mentioned problem, the web meandering control device as set forth is claimed in claim 1 and is a web end detection means for detecting a web end at a first position, said web end occurring as a widthwise end perpendicular to a web traveling direction; pattern end detection means for detecting at said first position pattern ends of patterns repeatedly printed on said web, said pattern ends occurring as widthwise ends perpendicular to said web travelling direction; control signal generating means for generating a control signal to bring said pattern end into conformity with a preset pattern end reference position by fetching a web end detection signal detected by said web end detection means and a pattern end detection signal detected by said pattern end detection means; and an actuator to shift said web in said widthwise direction by means of said control signal outputted from said control signal generating means.

[0025] The web end detection means and said pattern end detection means composing a single imaging means to capture said web end and said pattern ends in a field of view of said single imaging means and detect said web end and said pattern end.

[0026] The imaging means may include two dimensional imaging means arranged at said first position or one dimensional imaging means arranged at said first position with respect to said widthwise direction of the web.

[0027] The control signal generating means may select a web end reference position in accordance with a result of comparing said pattern end detection signal and said pattern end reference position and generating said control signal in accordance with a result of comparing the selected web end reference position and said web end detection signal.

[0028] A web meandering control method comprises the steps of detecting a web end of the web, said web end occurring as an end with respect to a widthwise direction perpendicular to a web travelling direction, while detecting ends of patterns repeatedly printed on said web in said web travelling direction, said web end and said pattern ends being detected at a first position respectively with respect to said web travelling direction; feeding a web end detection signal representative of said detected web end and pattern ends detection signal representative of said pattern ends to generate a control signal for bringing said pattern ends into conformity with a preset pattern ends reference position; and shifting said web in said widthwise direction by means of said control signal.

[0029] The web meandering control method is characterized in detecting said web end and said pattern ends by a single imaging means.

[0030] The method may include steps of selecting a web end reference position in accordance with a result of comparing said pattern end detection signal and said pattern end reference position in accordance with a result of comparing said selected web end reference position and generate said control signal said web end detection signal.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0031] According to the present invention, the detection of the web end and the pattern end at the first position of the web travel course realizes the processing of the web end detection signal and the pattern end detection signal with the equal gain, preventing the generation of hunting due to the difference of delay, thereby improving the control performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] 

Fig. 1 (a) is a plan view of one embodiment of the web meandering control device according to the present invention and Fig. 1(b) is a side view thereof;

Fig. 2 is an explanatory view of part of the web photographed by the imaging device of the web meandering control device of the embodiment;

Fig. 3 is an explanatory view of the actuator control unit of the web meandering device of the embodiment;

Fig. 4 is an explanatory view to illustrate the web meandering control device based on the pattern reference;

Fig. 5 (a) is an explanatory a web meandering control device according to prior art and Fig. 5 (b) is a side view thereof;

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of the web printed with patterns thereon being fed along the web travel course in the prior art device;

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view of the web showing the occurrence of widthwise misregistration of the patterns printed on the web travelling in the feed direction;

Fig. 8 is an explanatory view of the example in which a line is printed together with the patterns on the web in the feed direction; and

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view of the prior art web meandering control device to control the web travel based on the pattern reference by detecting the web end and the pattern end.

BEST MODE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, the web meandering control device of the invention according to one embodiment thereof will be described, wherein similar members referred to and shown in Figs. 5-9 are given the similar reference numerals and repetitious explanations are omitted. In the current embodiment as shown in Fig. 1, the web end sensor 5 provided between the deflector roll 3A and the guide roll 3B is replaced with an imaging device 10 such as a CCD camera fixedly arranged above the deflector roll 3A. Here, an illustration of the light source to irradiate the area supposed to be imaged by the imaging device 10 is omitted.

[0034] Said imaging device 10 captures the web end 1E and the pattern end 1A1 in a single field of view 10A as shown in Fig. 2 and photographs said web end 1E and sad pattern end A1 as an image thereof and the thus photographed image is subjected to image processing at the image processing unit 11 to generate a web end detection signal G1 which shows the position of the web end 1E and a pattern end detection signal G2 which shows the position of pattern end 1A1.

[0035] Thus, in this embodiment, the web end 1E and the pattern end 1A1 are detected at the identical position taken toward the web travel direction shown by the arrow mark X before said detection signal G1 and G2 are transmitted into the actuator controller 12.

[0036] It is to be noted in this connection that the web end 1E means the right side end of the web 1 with respect to the web travel direction viewed from above while the pattern end 1A1 means the right side end of the pattern end 1A closest to the web end 1E of the web 1 with respect to the web travel direction viewed from above.

[0037] The actuator control unit 12 is configured as shown in Fig. 3. Numeral 12a denotes the first comparing section, numeral 12b denotes the web end reference position storage section wherein the data of the web end reference position is stored, 12c denotes the second comparing section, 12d denotes pattern end reference position storage section wherein one or more pattern end reference position data are stored.

[0038] In the actuator control unit 12, the pattern end detection signal G2 generated at the image processing unit 11 and the pattern end reference position read out from the pattern end reference position storage section 12d in accordance with a processing position of the web 1 executed at the processing device 4 are compared at the second comparison section 12c to obtain a difference and to generate a selection signal based on the thus obtained difference. By means of this selection signal, the web end reference position is read out at the web end reference position storage section 12b. Then, the web end detection signal G1 generated at the image processing section 11 and the web end reference position read out from the web end reference position storage section 12b are compared at the first comparing section 12a to obtain a difference, generate a control signal based on the thus obtained difference and output the same to the actuator 6.

[0039] In operation, the control procedures will be described referring to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4 (a), in case the pattern end 1A1 deviates by L1 toward the +Y direction away from the pattern end reference position P1 which has been read out from the pattern end reference position storage section 12d, a selection signal corresponding to the amount L1 and the direction of deviation is generated at the second comparing section 12c. As a result, the web end reference position read out from the web end reference position storage section 12b becomes the web end reference position Q1 which has shifted by L1 in the -Y direction. The actuator control unit 12 generates a control signal in accordance with the comparison result between the web end detection signal G1 and the web end reference position Q1 and emits said control signal to the actuator 6, which drives the rewind reel 2 to shift in the arrow-marked -Y direction such that the web end 1E shifts in the arrow-marked - Y.

[0040] Even if the current pattern 1A leaves the field 10A of the imaging device 10, the control of the web end 1E retains the selection signal as it is until the pattern end 1A1 of the succeeding pattern 1A is detected by the imaging device 10. Then, when the pattern end 1A1 of the succeeding pattern is detected, the second comparison section 12c renews the selection signal such that the similar control is performed by the renewed selection signal.

[0041] As a result of such control procedure being repeated, the pattern end 1A1 of the pattern 1A coincides with the pattern reference position P1 as shown in the right side portion of Fig. 4(a).

[0042] It is to be noted that in cases the pattern end 1A1 is misaligned by L2 toward the - Y direction away the pattern end reference position P1 read out from the pattern end reference position storage section 12d, the rewind reel 2 is driven to shift into the + Y direction as opposed to the control procedure as shown in Fig. 4(a) such that the end 1A1 of the pattern 1A coincides with the pattern reference position P1 as shown in at the right end portion of Fig. 4(b).

[0043] As described in the foregoing, the control procedures are repeated such that said rewind reel 2 is shifted into the arrow marked - Y direction or + Y direction by actuator 6. As a result, the pattern end 1A1 fed into the processing device 4 coincides with the pattern end reference position P1 even though the distance LO between the pattern end 1A1 and the web end 1E varies at any position in the arrow marked direction X as pointed out referring to Fig. 7. By presetting the pattern end reference position P1 in accordance with the cutting position at the processing device 4, the meandering of the web 1 is controlled such that the web maintain its position in accordance with the pattern end reference position P1 to assure that precise work is performed at the processing device 4.

[0044] In the current embodiment, since the pattern end 1A1 and the web end 1E are detected at the same travel position (that is, the position of the deflector roll 3A) with respect to the web travel direction as arrow marked X, the obtained pattern end detection signal G2 is fetched into the actuator control unit 12 simultaneously with the web end detection signal G1. This eliminates the need of adjusting or filtering the gain of pattern end detection signal G2 as the both signals G1 and G2 are treated with the identical gain with the result that the effective use of the pattern end detection signal G2 is realized, thus improving the control performance.

[0045] In this connection, while the two-dimensional imaging device such as a CCD camera is used in this embodiment, a one-dimensional imaging device such as a line sensor may be used, where it is possible to detect the web end 1E and the pattern end 1A1 simultaneously if said one-dimensional imaging device is arranged in the width direction of the web 1.

[0046] Further, while the web end 1E and the pattern end 1A1 are detected by the single imaging device 10 at the same position with respect to the travel direction of the web 1 in this embodiment, it may be configured that a web end sensor means for detecting the web end 1E and a pattern end sensor means for detecting the pattern end 1A1 are arranged separately at the same position with respect to the web travel direction.

[0047] Further, while the image processing unit 11 generates the web end detection signal G1 and the pattern end detection signal G2 in this embodiment and said signals G1 and G2 are fed into the actuator control unit 12 for calculation to generate a control signal to control the actuator 6, the invention is not limited to the use of this configuration. For example, it may be configured such that the web end detection signal G1 and the pattern end detection signal G2 are detected in the image processing unit 11 while said signals G1 and G2 are calculated to produce control signals by a similar calculation to the one as described referring to Fig. 3; and said control signals are transmitted to the actuator 12 such that said actuator 6 is controlled by the actuator control unit 12. In this case, the control signal produced by the image processing unit 11 is amplified at the actuator control section 12. In this way, the control signal to control actuator 6 may be produced at either of the image processing unit 11 and the actuator control unit 12. In this meaning, the image processing section 11 and the actuator control section 12 may be referred to collectively as the control signal generating means.

[0048] Further, while it is described in this embodiment that the meandering of the web is controlled based on the repeatedly printed pattern at a fixed pitch in the travel direction shown by the X-marked arrow, the invention is not limited to the use of the typical pattern to be cut off later. For example, although the cut mark, the register mark for controlling the web meandering at the time of printing or the dragonfly mark are repeatedly printed at a fixed interval in the travel direction to be finally cut off, such marks are also included as treated in the same way as the above described pattern for the meandering control.

List of Reference Numerals

1:	web
1A:	pattern
1B	cut-off strip
1C, 1D	margin
1E:	web end
1F:	line
2:	rewind reel
3A:	deflector roll	3B:	guide roll
4:	processing device
5:	web end sensor
6:	actuator
7:	actuator control unit
8:	line sensor
9:	pattern detection sensor
10:	imaging device
11:	image processing unit
12:	actuator control unit

Claims

1. A web meandering control device comprising;
web end detection means (5) for detecting a web end at a first position, said web end occurring as a widthwise end perpendicular to said web traveling direction;

pattern end detection means (9) for detecting at said first position pattern ends of patterns repeatedly printed on said web, said pattern ends occurring as widthwise ends perpendicular to said web travelling direction;

control signal generating means for generating a control signal to bring said pattern end into conformity with a preset pattern end reference position by fetching a web end detection signal detected by said web end detection means (5) and a pattern end detection signal detected by said pattern end detection means (9); and

an actuator (6) to shift said web in said widthwise direction by means of said control signal outputted from said control signal generating means;

characterized in that:

said web end detection means (5) and said pattern end detection means (9) composing a single imaging means to capture said web end and said pattern ends in a field of view of said single imaging means and detect said web end and said pattern end.

2. A web meandering control device as set forth in claim 1,
said imaging means including two dimensional imaging means arranged at said first position or one dimensional imaging means arranged at said first position with respect to said width wise direction of the web.

3. A web meandering control device as set forth in claim 1 or 2,
said control signal generating means selecting a web end reference position in accordance with a result of comparing said pattern end detection signal and said pattern end reference position and generating said control signal in accordance with a result of comparing the selected web end reference position and said web end detection signal.

4. A web meandering control method comprising the steps of detecting a web end of the web, said web end occurring as an end with respect to a widthwise direction perpendicular to a web travelling direction, while detecting ends of patterns repeatedly printed on said web in said web travelling direction, said web end and said pattern ends being detected at a first position respectively with respect to said web travelling direction;

fetching a web end detection signal representative of said detected web end and pattern ends detection signal representative of said pattern ends to generate a control signal for bringing said

pattern
ends into conformity with a preset pattern ends reference position; and

shifting said web in said widthwise direction by means of said control signal;

characterized by:
detecting said web end and said pattern ends by a single imaging means.

5. A web meandering control method as set forth in claim 4,
wherein
selecting a web end reference position in accordance with a result of comparing said pattern end detection signal and said pattern end reference position and generating the control signal in accordance with a result of comparing said selected web end reference position and said web end detection signal.

Ansprüche

1. Bahnmäander-Steuervorrichtung, umfassend:

eine Bandende-Erfassungseinrichtung (5) zum Erfassen eines Bandendes an einer ersten Position, wobei das Bandende als ein in Breitenrichtung senkrecht zu der Bahnlaufrichtung liegendes Ende auftritt;

eine Musterende-Erfassungseinrichtung (9) zum Erfassen von Musterenden von Mustern, die wiederholt auf die Bahn gedruckt sind, an der ersten Position, wobei die Musterenden als Enden in Breitenrichtung senkrecht zur Bahnlaufrichtung auftreten;

eine Steuersignal-Erzeugungseinrichtung zum Erzeugen eines Steuersignals, um das Musterende in Übereinstimmung mit einer voreingestellten Musterende-Referenzposition zu bringen, indem ein von der Bandende-Erfassungseinrichtung (5) erfasstes Bandende-Erfassungssignal und ein von der Musterende-Erfassungseinrichtung (9) erfasstes Musterende-Erfassungssignal abgerufen wird; und

einen Aktuator (6) zum Verschieben der Bahn in der Breitenrichtung mit Hilfe des von der Steuersignal-Erzeugungseinrichtung ausgegebenen Steuersignals;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
dass die Bandende-Erfassungseinrichtung (5) und die Musterende-Erfassungseinrichtung (9) eine einzige Abbildungseinrichtung bilden, um das Bandende und die Musterenden in einem Sichtfeld der einzigen Abbildungseinrichtung zu erfassen und das Bandende und das Musterende zu erfassen.

2. Bahnmäander-Steuervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Abbildungseinrichtung eine zweidimensionale Abbildungseinrichtung aufweist, die an der ersten Position angeordnet ist, oder eine eindimensionale Abbildungseinrichtung, die an der ersten Position in Bezug auf die Breitenrichtung der Bahn angeordnet ist.

3. Bahnmäander-Steuervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Steuersignal-Erzeugungseinrichtung eine Bandende-Referenzposition in Übereinstimmung mit einem Ergebnis des Vergleichs des Musterende-Erfassungssignals und der Musterende-Referenzposition auswählt und das Steuersignal in Übereinstimmung mit einem Ergebnis des Vergleichs der ausgewählten Bandende-Referenzposition und des Bandende-Erfassungssignals erzeugt.

4. Bahnmäander-Steuerverfahren, umfassend die folgenden Schritte: Erfassen eines Bandendes der Bahn, wobei das Bandende als ein Ende in Bezug auf eine Breitenrichtung senkrecht zu einer Bahnlaufrichtung erscheint, während Enden von Mustern erfasst werden, die wiederholt in der Bahnlaufrichtung auf die Bahn gedruckt werden, wobei das Bandende und die Musterenden jeweils an einer ersten Position in Bezug auf die Bahnlaufrichtung erfasst werden;
Abrufen eines Bandende-Erfassungssignals, das für das erfasste Bandende repräsentativ ist, und eines Musterenden-Erfassungssignals, das für die Musterenden repräsentativ ist, um ein Steuersignal zu erzeugen, um die Musterenden in Übereinstimmung mit einer voreingestellten Musterenden-Referenzposition zu bringen; und
Verschieben der Bahn in der Breitenrichtung mittels des Steuersignals;
gekennzeichnet durch:
Erfassen des genannten Bandendes und der genannten Musterenden durch eine einzige Abbildungseinrichtung.

5. Bahnmäander-Steuerverfahren nach Anspruch 4, wobei eine Bahnenden-Referenzposition in Übereinstimmung mit einem Ergebnis des Vergleichs des Musterende-Erfassungssignals und der Musterende-Referenzposition ausgewählt wird und wobei das Steuersignal in Übereinstimmung mit einem Ergebnis des Vergleichs der ausgewählten Bahnenden-Referenzposition und des Bahnenden-Erfassungssignals erzeugt wird.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de commande de méandres de film comprenant ;
un moyen de détection d'extrémité de film (5) destiné à détecter une extrémité de film en une première position, ladite extrémité de film se produisant comme une extrémité dans la direction de la largeur perpendiculaire à ladite direction de déplacement de film ;
un moyen de détection d'extrémité de motif (9) destiné à détecter au niveau de ladite première position des extrémités de motif imprimés de façon répétée sur ledit film, lesdites extrémités de motif se produisant comme des extrémités dans la direction de la largeur perpendiculaires à ladite direction de déplacement de film ;
un moyen de génération de signal de commande destiné à générer un signal de commande pour mettre ladite extrémité de motif en conformité avec une position de référence d'extrémité de motif prédéfinie en extrayant un signal de détection d'extrémité de film détecté par ledit moyen de détection d'extrémité de film (5) et un signal de détection d'extrémité de motif détecté par ledit moyen de détection d'extrémité de motif (9) ; et
un actionneur (6) destiné à déplacer ledit film dans ladite direction de la largeur au moyen dudit signal de commande émit par ledit moyen de génération de signal de commande ;
caractérisé en ce que :
ledit moyen de détection d'extrémité de film (5) et ledit moyen de détection d'extrémité de motif (9) composant un moyen d'imagerie unique destiné à capturer ladite extrémité de film et lesdites extrémités de motif dans un champ de vision dudit moyen d'imagerie unique et détecter ladite extrémité de film et ladite extrémité de motif.

2. Dispositif de commande de méandres de film selon la revendication 1, ledit moyen d'imagerie comportant deux moyens d'imagerie bidimensionnels agencés à ladite première position ou des moyens d'imagerie unidimensionnels agencés à ladite première position par rapport à ladite direction de largeur du film.

3. Dispositif de commande de méandres de film selon la revendication 1 ou 2, ledit moyen de génération de signal de commande sélectionnant une position de référence d'extrémité de film selon un résultat de la comparaison dudit signal de détection d'extrémité de motif et de ladite position de référence d'extrémité de motif et générant ledit signal de commande selon un résultat de la comparaison de la position de référence d'extrémité de film sélectionnée et dudit signal de détection d'extrémité de film.

4. Procédé de commande de méandres de film comprenant les étapes de détection d'une extrémité de film du film, ladite extrémité de film se produisant comme une extrémité par rapport à une direction dans la direction de la largeur perpendiculaire à une direction de déplacement de film, tout en détectant les extrémités des motifs imprimés de façon répétée sur ledit film dans ladite direction de déplacement de film, ladite extrémité de film et lesdites extrémités de motif étant détectées en une première position respectivement par rapport à ladite direction de déplacement de film ;
l'extraction d'un signal de détection d'extrémité de film représentant ladite extrémité de film détectée et du signal de détection d'extrémités de motif représentant lesdites extrémités de motif destinée à générer un signal de commande pour mettre lesdites extrémités de motif en conformité avec une position de référence d'extrémité de motif prédéfinie ; et
le déplacement dudit film dans ladite direction de la largeur au moyen dudit signal de commande ;
caractérisé par :
la détection de ladite extrémité de film et desdites extrémités de motif au moyen d'un moyen d'imagerie unique.

5. Procédé de commande de méandres de film selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la sélection d'une position de référence d'extrémité de film selon le résultat de la comparaison dudit signal de détection d'extrémité de motif et de ladite position de référence d'extrémité de motif et la génération du signal de commande selon un résultat de comparaison de ladite position de référence d'extrémité de film sélectionnée et dudit signal de détection d'extrémité de film.

Drawing