Patents Assigned to Bobst
  • Publication number: 20230416027
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inversion transfer module (60) for a converting machine having a printing module (16) comprising a first printing unit (17) arranged to print on a top side (S1) of the sheet (1), and a second printing unit (17?) arranged to print a bottom side (S2) of the sheet. The inversion transfer module is arranged between the first printing unit and the second printing unit and comprises a first inversion vacuum transfer (62) arranged to contact the first side of the sheet and a second inversion vacuum transfer (64) configured to contact the second side of the sheet, whereby the inversion transfer module is configured to change the side of adherence and transportation of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST LYON
    Inventor: Eric VERNAY
  • Publication number: 20230415492
    Abstract: A method for fine adjustment of the position of ink drops printed by at least one printing head (12) of a printing device, the printing head (12) being a two-dimensional printing head (12) comprising a plurality of nozzles (30). In one method step, an ink drop is dispensed at a plurality of nozzles (30) of the at least one printing head (12) simultaneously to print an image, preferably at all nozzles (30) of the printing head (12). In another method step, the printed image is captured by a camera (20), wherein the camera (20) captures the pattern of dots printed by the printing head (12) and the captured pattern is compared to a pattern (36) of the nozzles (30) of the printing head (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventor: Matthieu RICHARD
  • Publication number: 20230405987
    Abstract: A method is provided for automatically exchanging a sleeve (18a) of a printing tool (14, 16, 18, 22, 24) mounted in a printing machine (12), in particular a flexographic printing machine, by means of a printing tool handling unit (28) comprising a coupling interface (36). In one step of the method the printing tool handling unit (28) is temporarily coupled to a coupling interface (46) located at the end of a shaft (54, 56, 58, 60) of the printing tool (14, 16, 18, 22, 24) with its coupling interface (36). In a further step, the printing tool handling unit (28) transports the printing tool (14, 16, 18, 22, 24) to a separation unit (78) comprising at least one clamping device (80, 82, 84) and places the printing tool (14, 16, 18, 22, 24) in the clamping device (80) of the separation unit (78).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST BIELEFELD GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander SUDERMANN
  • Publication number: 20230406660
    Abstract: A sheet processing machine (10) with a jam detection device (44, 46), the jam detection device (44, 46) comprising a light emitting element and a light receiving element forming a light barrier in a detection zone (53, 78) of a processing station of the sheet processing machine (10). The jam detection device (44, 46) further comprises a control unit (48) being connected to the light receiving element and being adapted to register if the light barrier is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Maude STEINER, Daniel TAPIS
  • Patent number: 11827478
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suction brake for use with a sheet conveyor configured to convey a succession of flat elements in sheet form along a conveying path between a first location and a second location, the suction brake comprising: a hollow body having an interior cavity and a face that defines a plurality of suction apertures that communicate with the interior cavity; an obturator arrangement coupled to the hollow body and moveable with respect to the suction apertures; the obturator arrangement being moveable between an open position, in which the obturator arrangement exposes the suction apertures to a maximum extent, and a restricted position, in which the obturator arrangement occludes the suction apertures to a maximum extent. The obturator may rotate or be linearly translated in moving between the open and restricted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Yann Delley, Steven Stojanovic-Roth, Jean-Claude Rebeaud
  • Publication number: 20230373124
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a calibration system (30) and a calibration method for a converting machine (20) provided with a die-cutting tool (18?) and at least one transfer unit (25) for transporting a sheet (1) along a travel path in a direction of conveyance (D) through the converting machine. The calibration system comprising a first image sensor (33), a memory (36) and a control unit (34). The calibration system is configured to detect an actual position of an indicia (42) on the sheet (1) and compare with a reference position of the indicia (42) stored in the memory (36). A correction program stored in the memory is executed when at least one of the longitudinal displacement (?xi) and the lateral displacement (?yi) of the indicia exceeds a predetermined tolerance threshold (Txi, Tyi).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST LYON
    Inventors: Robert AMOROS, Stéphane CHARPIN
  • Patent number: 11820123
    Abstract: A doctor blade system of a printing machine comprises a doctor blade (12), a blade support (14) and a clamping element (16), wherein the doctor blade (12) is arranged at a contact surface (24) on a front side (20) of the blade support (14) and pressed against the contact surface (24) by a pressing area (34) of the clamping element (16). The clamping element (16) has a bearing surface (40) arranged at a backside (27) of the blade support (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST BIELEFELD GMBH
    Inventors: Volker Caspari, Johannes Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11820122
    Abstract: A dryer unit (26), especially an intracolor dryer unit, for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a web inlet edge (34) and a web outlet edge (36) being substantially parallel to one another and defining a drying area (28) therebetween. Additionally, an air inlet and a first air outlet (38) being connected to the air inlet in an air-ducting manner are provided. The first air outlet (38) is positioned adjacent to one of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) and a middle axis of the first air outlet (38) is inclined towards the respective other of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) with respect to the drying area (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is described, comprising an impression drum, at least two ink application units and at least one dryer unit (26) as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST BIELEFELD GMBH
    Inventor: Renzo Melotti
  • Publication number: 20230356973
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stacker module (28) for a folder-gluer machine (1). The stacker module comprises a loading surface (90) configured to receive a plurality of folding boxes and to descend vertically as the number of folding boxes on the loading surface increases, and a linearly movable ejector (76) configured to be moved from a retracted position (RP) to an extended position (DP).The stacker further comprises an upper guide (110), configured to move between a clearing position (CP) which is vertically distant from the upper surface of the stack, and a guiding position (GP), in which the upper guide is located closer to the upper surface of the stack, and wherein the upper guide is in the guiding position when the ejector is moved from the retracted position to the evacuation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Olivier FAVRE, Raoul MICHOUD, Jonas DUBOUX, Olivier MUHLBAUER, Nicolas BRIZZI, Dimitri FAVINI, Pierre MALHERBE
  • Publication number: 20230359178
    Abstract: A method for tracking the downtime of a production machine (12) comprises the steps of: Receiving sensor data (SD) from the production machine (12) and production target data (PTD), Combining the sensor data (SD) and the production target data over a certain period (40) providing combined data (D) and calculating characteristic data (CD) of the combined data (D), Determining if the combined data (D) is from a downtime period (44) of the production machine (12) based on the characteristic data (CD), and Characterizing the downtime period (44) using a machine learning module (48) implemented in the control unit (32), the machine learning module (48) providing a reason (R) for the downtime period (44) as an output value. Further, a system (19) for tracking the downtime of a production machine (12) is shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Maxime DELISLE, Houda KJI
  • Publication number: 20230356422
    Abstract: A sheet material processing unit (10) is described. It comprises an upper tool (18) and a lower tool (14), wherein the upper tool (18) and the lower tool (14) are configured to interact with each other in order to process sheet material (26). Furthermore, a camera unit (40) is provided which is arranged such that it is able to simultaneously capture a portion of the upper tool (18) comprising a first opening (28) and a portion of the lower tool (14) lying behind the first opening (28) for aligning the tools (14, 18). The sheet material processing unit (10) additionally comprises a first and a second set of light sources which are distinct from one another and are configured for subsequently illuminating the portions to be captured. Moreover, methods for assessing an alignment of the upper tool (18) with respect to the lower tool (14) and with respect to the sheet material (26) are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Francis PILLOUD, Thomas HOFMANN, Olivier FAUCONNEAU
  • Patent number: 11801695
    Abstract: An inkjet printing machine for printing individual sheets comprises at least one printing station and a transport system (100) for transporting the individual sheets through the printing station, along a transport direction. The transport system (100) comprises at least one gripper conveyor (150) movable along the transport direction, for gripping one of the individual sheets defining a sheet position in transport direction. The transport system (100) further comprises at least one support conveyor (190) movable along the transport direction for supporting a region of the individual sheet, wherein the supported individual sheet and the support conveyor (190) are movable along the transport direction with respect to each other. The printing machine allows for efficient and flexible handling of individual sheets, in particular large format sheets of materials such as corrugated cardboard or other materials that have a certain degree of inherent stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Olivier Freymond, Patrick Wittwer, Javier Perez, Nicolas Mosetti, Mathieu Gavin, David Pousaz, Romain Bersier
  • Publication number: 20230339133
    Abstract: A positioning device (38) for holding a flat flexible part, especially a sheet, on a positioning surface (46) is presented. It comprises a body (44) having a suction opening (50) for aspiring the part and a fluid port (52) being in fluid communication with the suction opening (50). Furthermore, an abutment protrusion (60) is provided on a connection surface (48) for abutting the positioning device (38) against a base part (28) to which it may be mounted. Also a sealing protrusion (64) is arranged on the connection surface (48) for compressing a gasket (42) being interposed between the positioning device (38) and the base part (28). A height (Ha) of the abutment protrusion (60) is bigger than a height (Hs) of the sealing protrusion (64). Additionally, a positioning assembly (24) is presented which comprises at least one such positioning device (38). Furthermore, a sheet material processing machine comprising at least one such positioning assembly (24) is introduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Tim LAIR, Jade STERNBERG, Amel NEUMANN
  • Patent number: 11795025
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stacking device (10) for placing sheet-shaped elements (P) in stacks in a forming machine (1), said stacking device (10) comprising: a movable stacking surface (11), and an actuating device (12) for moving stacking surface (11): between a retracted position and a vertical forward position in a reciprocating back-and-forth motion for stacking sheets, and between the retracted position and a stowed position to open an access to the stack of sheet-shaped elements (P), characterized in that the actuator (12) comprises cam means configured to move the stacking surface (11) upwardly in the retracted position, in a raised position to be located above the top of the sheet stack. The invention also relates to a machine forming sheet-shaped elements comprising at least one such stacking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Patrice Chatry, Maude Steiner
  • Patent number: 11792537
    Abstract: This invention is about an imaging system that uses conventional cameras and a single laser line to perform quality control at the output of a converting machine or a press. The system uses several cameras distributed over the width of the printed sheets. Thanks to the laser line, it can reconstruct the complete image of the printed matter even when the sheets are not perfectly flat or at varying height, compensating geometric as well as photometric distortions. The use of conventional cameras results in a cost effective system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Francis Pilloud, Pablo Antolinez, Olivier Porret
  • Patent number: 11780195
    Abstract: An ejection device for ejecting sample blanks for a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, the processing machine comprising: a plurality of work stations including at least one waste removal station, and a conveying device comprising a plurality of gripper bars configured to drive the elements through the work stations, the ejection device comprises at least one actuating element able to move between: an inactive position positioned away from the path of the gripper bars, and an active position positioned on the path of the gripper bars, the at least one actuating element being configured to collaborate with the gripper bars as they pass by, so as to open the gripper bars and eject, flat, a sample of blanks. The present invention also relates to a waste removal station, a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, and a method for ejecting blanks samples in a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventor: Christophe Ruchet
  • Publication number: 20230264917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer module (26) for a folder-gluer machine (1), the transfer module comprising a lower conveyor (36) and an upper conveyor (38) adapted to receive a folding box (2) therebetween and to transport the folding box in a direction of transportation (D) towards a downstream-located loading surface (90) in a stacker module. The upper conveyor (36) of the transfer module extends further in the direction of transportation than the lower conveyor (38) and the lower conveyor comprises a first conveyor belt (38a) and second conveyor belt (38b), each having an inlet end (67a, 67b) and an outlet end (65a, 65b), and wherein the outlet ends are displaceable in the direction of transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Olivier FAVRE, Raoul MICHOUD, Jonas DUBOUX, Olivier MUHLBAUER, Nicolas BRIZZI, Dimitri FAVINI, Pierre MALHERBE
  • Patent number: 11731428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a capping unit (1) for capping at least one printhead (311.1, 311.2, 311.3, 321.1, 321.2, 321.3) of a printer (300), in particular an inkjet printer. The capping unit (1) includes a belt element (2.1, 2.2) having an elongated extent, wherein the belt element (2.1, 2.2) includes at least one flexible cap (3.1, 3.2) for capping the at least one printhead (311.1, 311.2, 311.3, 321.1, 321.2, 321.3), wherein the belt element (2.1, 2.2) features a resting setting and a capping setting and is displaceable from the resting setting to the capping setting and back. The belt element (2.1, 2.2) provides a self-stability section (5.1, 5.2) extending over at least a portion of the belt element (2.1, 2.2)'s elongated extent, wherein in the self-stability section (5.1, 5.2), the belt element (2.1, 2.2) is bendable in a movement plane (13.1, 13.2). In the capping setting, at all positions within the self-stability section (5.1, 5.2), a course of the elongated extent follows a straight line (14.1, 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Roland Ruf, Dominik Job, Piero Pierantozzi
  • Publication number: 20230256729
    Abstract: A printing plate (10) having at least one optical marker (12, 14) for detecting a position of the printing plate (10) is described. The optical marker (12, 14) comprises an optically detectable structure (18) being positioned within a periphery (20) of the marker (12, 14). Furthermore, a method for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) is presented. Additionally, a control unit (38) for a system (36) for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) and a system (36) for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) are explained. Moreover, a computer program comprising computer readable program code means for causing steps of the method is defined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: BOBST BIELEFELD GMBH
    Inventor: Rainer OCHS
  • Patent number: 11718086
    Abstract: A printing machine comprises a printing module (28) having a flexographic printing mode and a gravure printing mode, wherein the printing module comprises at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) defining the printing mode of the printing module, and a printing tool handling unit being configured for withdrawing and inserting the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) from and into the printing module, respectively. The printing tool handling unit comprises a coupling interface and the at least two printing cylinders each comprise a complementary coupling interface such that the printing tool handling unit can at least temporarily be coupled to one or more of the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) via the respective coupling interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Bobst Bielefeld GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Rudolph