as well as a corresponding method

Description

The present invention is related to an assembly for producing a semi-finished product from newspapers.

Many assemblies for producing semi-finished products from regular paper sheets are already known in the art. One of those assemblies is directed to a binder device, in which a stacked pile of paper sheets are perforated, either individually or in the stack, and are subsequently binded together. Here, each of the paper sheets may be removed from the stack of paper sheets individually, may subsequently be perforated and transported to a binder. The binder is actuated once each of the sheets in the stack have been perforated and have been transported to the binder such that a booklet or the like is created.

A drawback of the known assemblies in the art, is that they are not well equipped for handling newspaper sheets.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for an assembly for producing a semi-finished product from newspapers, as well as a corresponding method, which is able to cope with newspaper sheets.

In order to achieve that object, the invention provides, in a first aspect thereof, in an assembly for producing a semi-finished product from newspapers, said assembly comprising:

a storage platform for storing a plurality of individual newspaper sheets;

- adhesive applicator means for applying an adhesive to an individual newspaper sheet;

a stacking preform arranged for receiving and stacking said individual newspaper sheets having said applied adhesive, wherein said preform has a convex shaped surface, wherein said individual newspapers are to be received on said convex shaped surface of said preform;

newspaper transportation means arranged for transporting an individual newspaper sheet from said stored plurality of individual newspaper sheets on said storage platform via said adhesive applicator means to said stacking preform, wherein said transportation means are arranged to position said individual newspaper sheet on top of said convex shaped surface of said stacking preform, wherein said adhesive applicator means are arranged to apply said adhesive to an individual newspaper sheet during said transporting thereof from said storage platform to said stacking preform;

a compacting tool for compacting said stack of individual newspaper sheets on said stacking preform, wherein said compacting tool has a concave shaped surface, complementary to said convex shaped surface of said stacking preform thereby forming a semi-finished product from newspapers;

- a control unit for controlling said newspaper transportation means, said adhesive applicator means and said compacting tool.

It was the insight of the inventors that individual newspaper sheets should be handled differently compared to paper sheets. Individual newspaper sheets are much thinner compared to regular paper sheets. The weight of a newspaper sheet varies, typically, from 40 to 65 grams per square meter. The weight of regular paper sheets is typically much higher, usually above 100 grams per square meter. Newspaper sheets are usually made from mechanical pulp. That is pulp which is obtained by grinding, or milling, woodchips. Based on the above, the inventor has found that the handling of newspaper sheets is much more delicate compared to regular sheets.

The inventors have found that the stacking preform, arranged for receiving and stacking said individual newspaper sheets having said applied adhesive, should have a substantially convex form. This ensures that the newspaper sheets stay in their place, i.e. it simplifies the aligning of the sheets with respect to each other.

In the context of the present invention, the plurality of individual newspaper sheets should be aligned with respect to each other such that the newspaper transportation means handle each of the individual newspaper sheets in the same way. In order to do so, the storage platform may be moveable in the vertical direction to compensate for each individual newspaper sheet that has been taken from the stack. As such, the transportation means always face the plurality of individual newspaper sheets in the same way.

The adhesive applicator means, for applying an adhesive to an individual newspaper sheet, are arranged to uniformly distribute the adhesive over the newspaper sheet. This ensures that the stacked said individual newspaper sheets on the stacking preform stack up in a same way. That is, the form of the stacking preform is substantially maintained by the stack of the individual newspaper sheets on top thereof.

The newspaper transportation means transport individual newspaper sheets from the storage platform to the stacking preform. As such, the newspaper transportation means grip, pick or take a single, individual, newspaper sheet from the plurality of individual newspaper sheets at the storage platform, move that sheet to the stacking preform, and, subsequently, release the individual newspaper sheet at the stacking preform in such a way that each of the released individual newspaper sheets are aligned with respect to each other.

In accordance with the present invention, the assembly may be used for producing a semi-finished product from newspapers. The assembly may also be used for producing a semi-finished product from any other type of paper, such as regular sheet paper.

In an example, said assembly further comprises:

a pressing unit arranged for pressing one to ten newly stacked newspaper sheets on said stacking preform.

The pressing unit is thus arranged to make sure that each newspaper sheet is pressed, at least a little bit, to the stack of newspaper sheets. This ensures that the curvature of the stacking preform is maintained in the curvature of the stack of newspaper sheets. The pressing unit further ensures that any air between the newspaper sheets is pushed away and that the adhesive is distributed fairly uniform over a sheet.

In an example, the adhesive applicator means comprise:

two parallel and adjacent to each other orientated elongated rolls arranged to rotate along its elongated axis, wherein said adhesive is applied to an individual newspaper sheet by contacting said individual newspaper sheet with one of said two rolls during transportation thereof, wherein a contact speed of said one of said two rolls deviates from a speed at which said newspaper transportation means transport said individual newspaper sheet, wherein said deviation is between 0, 1 % - 6% of said contact speed, preferably between 3% - 5%. Typically, and preferably, the newspaper sheets are transported a bit faster compared to the speed of said one of said two rolls. The advantage of using two elongated rolls adjacent to each other for applying the adhesive, is that the adhesive is applied substantially uniformly over the newspaper sheet. The deviation in speed between the contact speed of the one of the two rolls and the speed at which the newspaper transportation means transport the individual newspaper sheet should not be zero, but should also not be above 6% for best performance. This ensures that only a thin layer of adhesive is applied to the sheet, thereby reducing the risk of any deformations in the newspaper sheet.

In an alternative example, the adhesive applicator means comprise: - adhesive spraying means comprising a plurality of nozzles, wherein said adhesive is applied to said individual newspaper sheet by spraying said adhesive, using said plurality of nozzles, during transportation of the individual newspaper sheet by the newspaper transportation means.

The advantage of this example is that a predefined amount of adhesive can be selected, which predefined amount of adhesive is to be applied to a single sheet of a newspaper.

In an example, a cross section of said stacking preform resembles a circular segment of a circle, wherein a chord length of said circular segment is between 50% - 100%, preferable between 65% - 85%, of a diameter of said circle.

As mentioned above, the shape of the stacking preform is of importance for correctly aligning the newspaper sheets on top of each other. The inventor has found that a chord length of the circular segment 50% - 100%, preferable between 65% - 85%, of a diameter of said circle represented by said stacking preform, provides good results.

In a further example, the newspaper transportation means comprise: an elongated pickup bar comprising a plurality of suction nozzles, wherein said elongated pickup bar is arranged to pick up said individual newspaper sheet from said stored plurality of individual newspaper sheets by activating said plurality of suction nozzles. The elongated pickup bar may further comprise clamping means for clamping an individually picked up newspaper sheets such that it can be reliably transported by the newspaper transportation means.

More specifically, the elongated pickup bar may be arranged to pivot around its elongated axis, wherein said newspaper transportation means are arranged to: pivot said elongated pickup bar in such a way that said suction nozzles are oriented perpendicular to said individual newspaper sheet for picking up said individual newspaper sheet, and to

pivot said elongated pickup bar in such a way that said suction nozzles are oriented perpendicular to a surface of said stack of individual newspaper sheets to position said single newspaper sheet on top thereof.

The advantage of this example is that the robustness of the assembly is improved. That is, this example ensures that the individual newspaper sheets are robustly gripped, and released, by the newspaper transportation means.

In another example, the control unit is arranged to control said assembly in such a way that said compacting tool compresses said stack of newspaper sheets, wherein an amount of newspaper sheets in said stack is between 50 - 400 sheets, preferably between 100 - 300 sheets.

The above entails that it is not required to compress the newspaper sheets in the stack each time a sheet is placed on top of the stack. It is sufficient that the stack of newspaper sheets is compressed when the amount of newspaper sheets in the stack is between 50 - 400 sheets. It is possible to compress the stack of newspaper sheets sufficiently, even with that many newspaper sheets.

In an another example, the assembly further comprises at least one air blower, oriented above said stacking preform, wherein said at least one air blower is arranged to blow air onto said stack of individual newspaper sheets for holding said individual newspaper sheets in place on said stacking preform.

The advantage of this example is that the stack of newspaper sheets on the stacking preform is rigid. That is, by blowing air on top of the stack, the top sheets of the stack remain on their place.

In a second aspect, the invention provides for a method of producing a semi-finished product from newspapers, said method using an assembly according to any of the previous examples, said method comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of individual newspaper sheets on said storage platform;

transporting, by said newspaper transportation means, an individual newspaper sheet from said stored plurality of individual newspaper sheets on said storage platform via said adhesive applicator means to said stacking preform applying, during said transporting, by said adhesive applicator means, said adhesive to said individual newspaper sheet;

positioning, by said transportation means, said individual newspaper sheet on top of said convex shaped surface of said stacking preform;

- compacting, by said compacting tool, said stack of individual newspaper sheets on said stacking preform thereby forming a semi-finished product from newspapers.

The expressions, i.e. the wording, of the different aspects comprised by the assembly and/or the method according to the present invention should not be taken literally. The wording of the aspects is merely chosen to accurately express the rationale behind the actual function of the aspects.

In accordance with the present invention, different aspects applicable to the above mentioned examples of the assembly, including the advantages thereof, correspond to the aspects which are applicable to method according to the present invention.

In an example, the adhesive applicator means comprise two parallel and adjacent to each other orientated elongated rolls arranged to rotate along its elongated axis, wherein said adhesive is applied to an individual newspaper sheet by contacting said individual newspaper sheet with one of said two rolls during transportation thereof, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

- rotating said one of said two rolls such that a contact speed of said one of said two rolls deviates from a speed at which said newspaper transportation means transport said individual newspaper sheet, wherein said deviation is between 0, 1 % - 6% of said contact speed, preferably between 3% - 5%.

In an alternative example, the adhesive applicator means comprise adhesive spraying means comprising a plurality of nozzles, wherein said method comprises the step of:

applying said adhesive to said individual newspaper sheet by spraying said adhesive, using said plurality of nozzles, during transportation of the individual newspaper sheet by the newspaper transportation means.

In a further example, the newspaper transportation means comprise an elongated pickup bar comprising a plurality of suction nozzles, wherein said method comprises the step of: - picking up said individual newspaper sheet from said stored plurality of individual newspaper sheets by activating said plurality of suction nozzles.

In another example, the elongated pickup bar is arranged to pivot around its elongated axis, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

pivoting, by said newspaper transportation means, said elongated pickup bar in such a way that said suction nozzles are oriented perpendicular to said individual newspaper sheet for picking up said individual newspaper sheet, and to

pivoting, by said newspaper transportation means, said elongated pickup bar in such a way that said suction nozzles are oriented perpendicular to a surface of said stack of individual newspaper sheets to position said single newspaper sheet on top thereof.

In a further example, the assembly further comprises at least one air blower, oriented above said stacking preform, said method further comprising the step of:

blowing, by said at least one air blower, air onto said stack of individual newspaper sheets for holding said individual newspaper sheets in place on said stacking preform.

In yet another example, the method further comprises the step of: cutting said semi-finished product from newspapers to layers of predefined thickness.

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the invention will be best understood from the following description referring to the attached drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote identical parts or parts performing an identical or comparable function or operation.

The present disclosure in a further aspect relates to an assembly for producing a semi-finished product from newspapers, said assembly comprising:

a storage platform for storing a plurality of individual newspaper sheets;

adhesive applicator means for applying an adhesive to an individual newspaper sheet; a stacking preform arranged for receiving and stacking said individual newspaper sheets having said applied adhesive, wherein said preform has a convex form, preferably a substantially convex form, wherein said individual newspapers are to be received on a convex side of said preform;

- newspaper transportation means arranged for transporting an individual newspaper sheet from said stored plurality of individual newspaper sheets on said storage platform via said adhesive applicator means to said stacking preform, wherein said transportation means are arranged to position said individual newspaper sheet on top of said convex side of said stacking preform,

wherein said adhesive applicator means are arranged to apply said adhesive to an individual newspaper sheet during said transporting thereof from said storage platform to said stacking preform;

a compacting tool for compacting said stack of individual newspaper sheets on said stacking preform, wherein said compacting tool has a concave form, preferably a substantially concave form, complementary to said convex form of said stacking preform thereby forming a semi-finished product from newspapers;

- a control unit for controlling said newspaper transportation means, said adhesive applicator means and said compacting tool. Advantages of assembly and further embodiments of the assembly of the further aspect are analogue to the assembly according to the first aspect.

According to a yet further aspect the present disclosure relates to a method of producing a semi-finished product from newspapers, said method using an assembly according to any of the previous claims, said method comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of individual newspaper sheets on said storage platform;

transporting, by said newspaper transportation means, an individual newspaper sheet from said stored plurality of individual newspaper sheets on said storage platform via said adhesive applicator means to said stacking preform applying, during said transporting, by said adhesive applicator means, said adhesive to said individual newspaper sheet; positioning, by said transportation means, said individual newspaper sheet on top of said convex side of said stacking preform;

compacting, by said compacting tool, said stack of individual newspaper sheets on said stacking preform thereby forming a semi-finished product from newspapers. Advantages of method and further embodiments of the method of the yet further aspect are analogue to the method according to the second aspect.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an assembly for producing a semi-finished product from newspapers according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method of producing a semi-finished product from newspapers according to the present invention.

Detailed description

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an assembly 1 for producing a semi-finished product from newspapers according to the present invention. The assembly produces as semi-finished product as at least one finishing step is to be performed to finalize the product. That it, the assembly 1 construes a relatively large, but compact, stack of individual newspaper sheets glued together. In order to obtain small layers of newspaper material, the stack of individual newspaper sheets it to be cut into slices. Each slice of newspaper material, for example having a thickness of 0.5mm - 2mm, is sufficiently rigid and robust to be used for a variety of applications.

The assembly 1 comprises a storage platform 7 for storing a plurality of individual newspaper sheets 5. The plurality of newspaper sheets 5 are referred to as individual newspaper sheets as sheets are not stapled, or binded, together. Each newspaper sheet can be removed separately, i.e. individually, from the stack comprising the plurality of individual newspaper sheets 5. As mentioned before, the handling of newspaper sheets 5 is, in practice, much more delicate compared to regular paper sheets. As such, taking a single, individual, sheet from the plurality of individual newspaper sheets 5 is to be performed much more accurately, and much more steady.

In order to create the same circumstances each time an individual newspaper sheet is to be taken from the plurality of newspaper sheets 5, the platform 7 comprises translation means 6 for moving the platform 7 in a vertical direction to compensate for each, or for a couple of, individual newspaper sheets that have been taken from the stack of plurality of newspaper sheets 5. As such, the top newspaper sheet, i.e. the sheet on top of the stack of the plurality of newspaper sheets 5 is then always oriented at the same height level, irrespective of the amount of newspaper sheets that have already been taken from the stack of the plurality of newspaper sheets 5. The translation means 6 may be controlled by the control unit 14.

The assembly 1 further comprises adhesive applicator means 15, 3, 4 for applying an adhesive to an individual newspaper sheet. In order to improve the binding of two newspaper sheets to each other, the applied adhesive to an individual newspaper sheet should be distributed as uniformly as possible, and the thickness of the layer of the applied adhesive should be relatively small. That is, only a small amount of adhesive is to be used for an individual newspaper sheet.

In the present situation, the adhesive applicator means 15, 3, 4 comprise two parallel and adjacent to each other orientated elongated rolls 3, 4 arranged to rotate 10 along its elongated axis, wherein said adhesive is applied to an individual newspaper sheet by contacting said individual newspaper sheet with one of said two rolls during transportation thereof, wherein a contact speed of said one of said two rolls 3, 4 deviates from a speed at which said newspaper transportation means 16 transport said individual newspaper sheet, wherein said deviation is between 0, 1 % - 6% of said contact speed, preferably between 3% - 5%.

In order to efficiently apply the adhesive to an individual newspaper sheet, the inventors have found that the contact speed of the roll 4, i.e. the speed of the roll 4 at its outer surface, should deviate from the speed at which the individual layer passes that roll 4. As only a small amount of adhesive is to be applied, i.e. a small layer of adhesive, the deviation should be made relatively small. Practical trials have revealed that a deviation between 0, 1 % - 6%, more specifically a deviation between 3% - 5% provides improved results.

According to figure 1 , the adhesive is applied to the rolls 3, 4 via the adhesive providing means 15, which adhesive providing means 15 provide the adhesive in between the two rolls 3, 4.

A stacking preform 9 is provided within the assembly 1 , which stacking preform 9 is used for receiving and stacking the individual newspaper sheets having the applied adhesive. As shown in figure 1 , the preform 9 has a substantially convex form, wherein the newspapers are to be received on the convex side 18 of the preform 9. The convex shape of the preform 9 ensures that the individual newspaper sheets received on the preform 9 stay on their place. That is, the received newspaper sheets stay aligned with respect to each other on the stacking preform 9.

The assembly 1 further comprises newspaper transportation means 16, 2 for transporting an individual newspaper sheet from the stored plurality of individual newspaper sheets 5 on the storage platform 7 via the adhesive applicator means 15, 3, 4 to the stacking preform 9, i.e. in the transport direction 1 1 . The transportation 16, 2 are arranged to position the individual newspaper sheet on top of the convex side 18 of the stacking preform 9.

In the present situation, the newspaper transportation means 16 are construed as a an elongated pickup 16 bar comprising a plurality of suction nozzles 8, wherein said elongated pickup 16 bar is arranged to pick up said individual newspaper sheet from said stored plurality of individual newspaper sheets 5 by activating said plurality of suction nozzles 8. That is, the suction force by the plurality of suction nozzles 8 ensures that a single, individual, newspaper sheet is lifted up from the plurality of newspaper sheets 5.

In order to improve the robustness and accuracy of the working principle of the assembly 1 , the inventor has found that the elongated pickup bar 16 is to pivot around its elongated axis via pivoting means 17.

The control unit 14 may control the elongated pickup bar 16 in such a way that the elongated pickup bar 16 is pivoted such that said suction nozzles 8 are oriented perpendicular to said individual newspaper sheet of said plurality of newspaper sheets 5 for picking up said individual newspaper sheet, and in such a way that the suction nozzles 8 are oriented perpendicular to the surface of the stack of individual newspaper sheets to position the single newspaper sheet on top thereof. That is, in case no newspaper sheets have been laid down on the stacking preform 9, the nozzles should be pivoted in such a way that they are perpendicular to the convex surface of the stacking preform. In case a plurality of individual newspaper sheets has already been received by the stacking preform 9, the shape of the top newspaper sheet should be used for orienting the nozzles 8 perpendicular thereto. The above can be realised, for example, by using camera's and/or lasers for determining the mentioned perpendicular direction and for providing the measurements to the control unit 14. The control unit 14 may, based on these measurement, control the pivoting movement of the elongated bar 16.

As shown in figure 1 , the adhesive is applied during transportation of an individual newspaper sheet from the plurality of newspaper sheets 5 to the stacking preform 9. That is, during transportation thereof, the individual newspaper sheets contact the second roll 4, rotating 10 along its elongated axis, via which contact adhesive is transferred between the roll 4 and the individual newspaper sheet.

The assembly further comprises a compacting tool 12 for compacting said stack of individual newspaper sheets on said stacking preform 9, wherein said compacting tool 12 has a substantially concave form 19 complementary to said convex form 18 of said stacking preform 9 thereby forming a semi-finished product from newspapers.

A control unit 17 is provided for controlling said newspaper transportation means 2, 16, said adhesive applicator means 15, 3, 4 and said compacting tool 12.

Figure 2 is a flow chart 51 of a method of producing a semi-finished product from newspapers according to the present invention, the method using an assembly according to any of the examples provided above, said method comprising the steps of:

storing 52 a plurality of individual newspaper sheets on said storage platform;

- transporting 53, by said newspaper transportation means, an individual newspaper sheet from said stored plurality of individual newspaper sheets on said storage platform via said adhesive applicator means to said stacking preform applying 54, during said transporting, by said adhesive applicator means, said adhesive to said individual newspaper sheet;

- positioning 55, by said transportation means, said individual newspaper sheet on top of said convex side of said stacking preform;

compacting 56, by said compacting tool, said stack of individual newspaper sheets on said stacking preform thereby forming a semi-finished product from newspapers. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments as disclosed above, and can be modified and enhanced by those skilled in the art beyond the scope of the present invention as disclosed in the appended claims without having to apply inventive skills.