EP1193200A1 - Apparatus for automatic splicing of feeding rolls with thin webs - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for automatic joining together of two thin bands coming from supply rolls. The rolls are mounted on roll carriers (3, 4) that are mounted so that they can be displaced vertically. Two heads (6, 7) provide the means for automatic connection of the bands coming from the rolls. The heads can be moved towards or away from each other along the horizontal structure (8), just as suspended elements can be moved above the roll carriers the role of which is to remove the mandrel from the empty rolls.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic device thin strip connection for systems with continuous feed in which the tape coming from the supply coil, when it ends, is joined to that of a new coil so that the process can be to pursue.

In processes involving continuous feeding of tapes such as, for example, the manufacture of corrugated cardboard, we are already using a device that has two coils, the first providing the band while the second remains in reserve to ensure continued feeding when the first is empty.

For this purpose, and to avoid interruption of the power supply during the replacement of a coil by a other, we have developed mechanisms that ensure automatically connecting the end of the strip of the first reel at the start of the second tape so continue feeding.

The devices performing this function include two reel holders and tape joining mechanisms that can be put in the working and handling position to prepare the connection of the coil strip which is waiting at the power strip at the appropriate time.

The known embodiments of these devices require a manual intervention to put the mechanisms of proper connection in working position and preparation and to remove the mandrel from the spool empty reel; this requires considerable efforts on the part of the operator who must also devote time not negligible in these operations.

The present invention provides a device for connection which eliminates these drawbacks thanks to its structure and its operation which differ from those of the devices conventional.

The device of the invention comprises two reel holders, which are mounted so that they can be moved vertically thanks to transporters, and two heads which can be move horizontally on their own to move from a position where they are close to each other to a position where they are separated and at the location respective reel holders however above these the latter are arranged with other elements which may be move horizontally from a position where they are above the spool holders to a position outside the structure.

The heads are mounted on a guide device based on a supporting structure and have the means individual displacement and blocking for their temporary immobilization; each head has a group of which the role is to join the two bands end to end using pressure and cutting tools.

The reel holders are mounted on support guides vertical along which they can move; each of these reel holders have two arms which can be brought closer or separate and are provided with means ensuring the fixing rotating mandrels of the coils to be supported, these means being in turn provided with brakes so as to control the rotation of the coil and expulsion means allowing release the chuck when it needs to be removed.

Elements that can be placed above the spool holders are mounted on guides that support them and have their own means of actuation; these items include hook-shaped hanging arms that can remove the empty spool mandrel to deposit it outside the structure via a fixed ramp.

Above the central position in which the heads are close to each other, there are two rollers parallels of which the first has a fixed location but can rotate freely on itself and the other, which does not rotate on itself, can move away or approach the first in thus creating a space between the two rollers through which will pass the supply belt to the power unit that makes it move at feed speed; it is thanks to these two rollers that the strip can be pinched and held for the connection.

This set constitutes a connection device which automatically joins the end of the reel strip which empty at the start of a new strip so as to continue food; this device also makes it possible to prepare the new strip while the supply of the first strip is continues without the operator having to make any effort to move the heads since the movements of the latter are controlled by the motors in each position.

In addition, the reel holders move automatically between the lower and upper positions which allows place below the coil that powers the machine, before let it empty, another full while the elements displaceable automatically remove the mandrel from the top empty coils leaving the operator the only care put the new strip on the corresponding head once the full spool is installed on the released spool holder.

It follows from what has just been explained that the device of connection object of the present invention to very advantageous characteristics and that it constitutes a new and improved system compared to devices conventional.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device recommended connection.

Figure 2 is a front view of one end of the connection device.

Figure 3 is a side view of the device connection.

Figure 4 is a schematic enlarged detail view of the position of the heads of the connection device at the time of the preparation of the new band which will remain in waiting.

Figure 5 is a schematic enlarged detail view of the position of the heads of the connection device when they are close together and ready for the union of the bands.

Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of one of the heads of the connecting device.

Figure 7 is a side view of the two heads of the connection device when separated.

Figure 8 is a side view of the two heads of the connection device when they are brought together the other .

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the entire vertical guidance system of one of the reel holders of the connection device.

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the axis with the arm guides of one of the spool holders.

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the gripping mechanism of the spool mandrel which is on the arms of the spools of the connection device.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one of the arms of the spool holder of the connection device with a view exploded expulsion mechanism which detaches the mandrel from the coils.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one of the arms of the spool holder of the connection device with a view burst of the braking mechanism which controls the rotation of coils.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the structure of mounting of one of the movable elements above spool holders of the connection device.

Figures 15 to 22 are detailed views of the positions successive connection tools during the sequence gluing the final end of the first strip at the start news.

Figures 23 to 28 show the successive positions the reel loading and replacement sequence on one of the spool holders of the connection device.

The object of the invention consists of a device for connection which allows to join thin strips (1) and (2) and thus ensuring continuous feeding in the processes where it applies.

The connection device includes two reel holders (3) and (4) which can move vertically and are mounted on load-bearing structures (5) located at the ends of the entire connection device.

In the central position and above, are the two heads (6) and (7) which are mounted on a horizontal structure (8) along which they can move from the center, situation in which they are close from each other, to the ends of the above structure (8).

Above the reel holders (3) and (4) are other horizontal structures (9) and (10) along which moving hanging elements (11) and (12) having the form hooks.

Above the location of the heads (6) and (7) when in the central position, there are two parallel rollers (13) and (14) which leave a space for the passage of the strip (1) which supplies the group motor (15); after which this strip (1) passes through a store regulation (16) before continuing to the process application.

Each of the two heads (6) and (7) is equipped with a motor (17) which allows it to move independently on the structure (8) (cf. fig. 6); these heads (6) and (7) are also equipped with various means (19) which ensure their immobility (6) and (7) when they are close together each other in a central position.

These heads (6) and (7) also include groups (20) allowing to join the bands (1) and (2) which must be connected. These groups (20) are identical for both heads (6) and (7) and each of them comprises two sets independent (21) and (22) of which the first (21) can switch one cylinder (23) while the other can be pushed forward by means of another cylinder (24).

The tiltable assembly (21) has a fixed front element and an element which is pushed towards it by a cylinder (25) while in the pusher assembly (22) is housed, in a front groove, a retractable knife that can move longitudinally.

On the structures (5), the reel holders (3) and (4) are mounted on guides (26) by means of a carriage (27) which moves by sliding along these guides (26) (cf. fig. 9); the movement of the carriage (27) is caused by a mechanism transmission included in the guides (26) and actuated by motors (28) as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3. In this way each of the reel holders (3) and (4) can be move independently either vertically or along load-bearing structures (5).

Under these conditions, while the process is still powered by the strip (1) of the coil (29) disposed on the reel holder (3) passing through the head (6) as shown in the Figure 3, it is possible to install another coil (30) on the reel holder (4) to prepare the strip (2) of this reel on the head (7) by bringing for this purpose said head (7) to the end of the structure (8) so that the operator responsible for the preparation can work without difficulty on this head (7) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

For the preparation of the strip (2), as shown in the Figure 15, we switch all (21) of the group (20) of the head (7) in the low position which allows the operator to work conveniently and pass the strip (2) between the elements of this set.

The assembly (21) is then tilted upwards and, simultaneously, the movable element of this assembly (21) so that the strip (2) is pinched between this mobile element and the fixed element opposite it (cf. Fig. 16).

The assembly (22) of this group (20) then moves towards the front holding the end of the strip (2) captive in the pinching against the fixed element of the assembly (21) as the shows figure (17); the knife of the assembly (22) cuts then the end of the strip (2) along a straight line perfect.

After which, the assembly (21) switches back down again and the assembly (22) moves backwards as shown Figure 18 by placing, by means of the dispensing device (31) which appears in Figure 5, an adhesive strip on the end of the strip (2) this pose being carried out in such a way so that half the width of the tape (32) remains free.

The assembly (21) is then tilted again towards the top (see fig. 19) and the assembly (22) moves a new times forward until pressing against the fixed element of the assembly (21) the strip (2) while, simultaneously, the entire head (7) moves towards the head (6) to position itself against the latter (cf. fig. 20).

We are then in the situation where everything is ready for the connection of the strip (2) to the strip (1) which passes through the head (6) so that when this strip (1) ends, the movable element of the assembly (21) of the group (20) of the head (6) moves and presses the strip (1) on the fixed element of this set (21) while, at the same time, the set (22) of the same group (20) of the head (6) moves forward and presses the strip (1) on the assembly (22) of the group (20) of the head (7) according to figure 21.

Under these conditions, the strip (2) is glued to the strip (1) by the adhesive strip (32) and the knife of the assembly (22) of the group (20) of the head (6) cuts the strip (1) so that its edge corresponds to the free edge of the strip (2) which ensures perfect continuity between the bands (1) and (2) which are connected end to end by the adhesive strip (32).

After which the head (6) moves back which results in that the assembly (22) and the movable element of the assembly (21) are separate from the fixed element of the assembly (21) of the head (7); therefore, the bands (1) and (2) being united, the power supply continue with the band (2) (see fig. 22).

To make it possible to connect the bands (1) and (2), the belt (1) must stop for a moment in the connection area; it is for this reason that the speed of the group motor (15) which governs the supply is variable so that by lowering it to 100 - 150 meters per second the normal feed speed of 650 meters per second when the supply coil (29) is almost empty and the strip (1) separates from it, a total stop of the band (1) occurs (see fig. 21) during which the band necessary for the continuation of the process is extracted from the store (16).

To help stop the tape (1) and maintain this last sufficiently tightened, during the stop, the roller mobile (14) comes close enough to the fixed roller (13) (cf. Fig. 21) to compress and brake the strip (1).

To avoid jolts, braking the belt between the rollers (13) and (14) is maintained (see fig. 22) during the acceleration of the supply of the new strip (2) until normal speed is reached; then the rollers (13) and (14) separate to that the tape can move freely.

When the coil (29) from which the strip is extracted supply is almost empty, its reel holder (3) is moves and moves to the upper position which allows that before this coil is empty, we can approach below a full coil (33).

So when the coil (29) ends and is replaced by another coil (30) arranged on the other coil holder (4), all you have to do is remove the mandrel from the empty spool (29) to install in its place on the spool holder (3) the coil (33) which had previously been arranged below in bringing this spool holder down to the position of this reel (33) to then raise it to a position where it can rotate freely.

The mandrel is removed from the empty spool (29) automatically thanks to the hook-shaped element (11) the structure (9) which is located above; this element (11) is moves on the structure (9) until it hooks the empty reel core (29); he then extracts this mandrel from the reel holder (3) and takes it to the fixed element (34) which has a ramp at the bottom which forces the mandrel to fall from the element (11) to be collected in the container (35) which is located below. The operation is identical when the coil (30) which is on the spool holder (4) on the other side, except that the mandrel is removed by the element (12).

Each of the reel holders (3) and (4) comprises two arms (36) parallel and face to face that can be seen on the figures (12) and (13) and which are fixed by means of a coupling (37) with sliding mounting on an axis (38) provided with guides (39), this arrangement being presented in FIG. 10; these two arms (36) can move along the axis (38) and so get closer or separate from each other under the action motors (40) shown in Figure 2.

Each arm (36) includes a cone (41) which fits into the corresponding end of the spool of the tape reels (1 or 2) ; this cone (41) in turn includes the mechanism described Figure 11 which includes a cylinder (42) having a rod (43) which penetrates axially into the cone (41) and enters contact with elements (44) which can extend radially through the windows (45) of the cone (41) and carry pads (46); the elements (44) slide on the rod (43) thanks to the guides inclined (47) so that when the rod advances, the elements 44 exit through the windows (45) of the cone (41) and retract when the rod moves back.

It follows that when the arms (36) of a reel holder get closer, the elements (44) of the cone (41) being retracted, these cones (41) enter through the ends of the mandrel of the coil and advance the rod (43) of the cylinders (42); the elements (44) then exit radially outwards from the cones (41), the pads (46) put pressure on the inside of the spool core which is thus perfectly subject. To uncouple and remove the chuck from the coil, we proceed inversely, that is to say that the rod (43) cylinders (42) move back and the elements (44) retract to inside the cones (41) so that when the arms (36) separate the mandrel is detached.

So that the mandrel detaches completely without remaining attached to any of the cones (41), there is provided on the cylinder (42) a fixed jacket (48) and above it a casing (49) which can move on its axis and, in doing so, push the mounted mandrel to the end of the cone (41).

Associated with this movable casing (49) of the cone mechanism, is finds on the arm (36) a pusher device (50) which acts through cylinders (51) as can be seen on Figure 12; this pusher device (50) pushes the casing (49) forwards to force the spool core to come out of the cone (41) during the removal operation; the housing (49) is returned to the rear position by the proper push said of the mandrel when the arms (36) approach during of the assembly operation.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, each arm (36) includes a braking mechanism (52) which acts on the rotating part of the cone (41) and thanks to which it is possible to control the speed of rotation of the coils installed on the reel holders so as to cancel the inertia and adapt this rotational speed at the unwinding speed of the bandaged.

Figure (14) shows in detail the structure (9) of mounting of the hook-shaped element (11) of one of the parts the connection device; you can see the cart (53) on which is mounted the element (11) and the motor (54) which controls its movement. It is obvious that the structure (10) on the other side, on which the element (12) is mounted is identical but in reverse position.

Coil loading and replacement process on the reel holders (3) and (4) of the connection device is also automatic as shown by the sequence of Figures 23 to 28; to install a coil (55) on a coil holder, the whole of the latter moves on the structures corresponding load-bearing structures (5) to the upper position (see fig. 23), thus allowing the coil (55) to be brought below.

Once the spool (55) in position, the spool holder descends to the lower position, the arms (36) being dismissed; when the spool pin reaches this position, the arms (36) tighten and grip the coil (55) as the shows figure 24.

The spool pin then rises enough for the coil (55) can rotate freely on itself as the shows figure 25; the coil (55) is therefore ready for supply the connection device.

When the spool (55) is almost empty, the spool holder moves to the top position without interrupting power from this coil (55) as shown in the figure 26.

When the spool (55) is empty and is replaced in the feeding process by another thanks to the union of the two bands, the movable element (11) located above the reel holder comes into action and comes to hang the mandrel (56) of the coil (55) which has just emptied; the arms (36) are then separate and the mandrel (56) remains suspended from the element (11) as shown in Figure 27.

We can then introduce a new coil (57) under the reel holder as shown in figure 27, while the element (11) moves to discharge the mandrel (56) collected and the reel holder goes down to the part lower where it tightens and grabs the new coil (57) as shown in Figure 28.

Claims (9)

Device for connecting thin strips of supply coils of the type which comprise two reel holders (3) and (4), one supporting the supply coil (29) and the other the coil (30) who will replace it when it becomes empty, thus ensuring continuity of supply; this type also includes two heads (6) and (7) through which the strips (1) and (2) of each of the two coils pass; these heads (6) and (7) are provided with means automatically ensuring the union of the two bands (1) and (2); this device is characterized in that the reel holders (3) and (4) are mounted on structures (5) allowing their vertical movement and which are located at each end of the connection device while the heads (6) and ( 7) are mounted on a horizontal structure (8) which is above the intermediate zone and along which they can move to approach or separate by going above the reel holders (3) and ( 4); it is also characterized by the horizontal structures (9) and (10) along which hanging elements (11) and (12) in the form of a hook can move. Device for connecting thin strips of supply coils according to the first claim, characterized in that the heads (6) and (7) can move on the structure (8) by means of a motor and include means (18) and (19) which can temporarily block them on said structure. Device for connecting thin strips of supply coils according to the first claim, characterized in that the heads (6) and (7) include groups (20) for bonding the strips (1) and (2); each of these groups (20) in turn includes a tiltable assembly (21) and elements which can move towards or away from each other and an assembly (22) which can move forwards or backwards and includes cutting tools which are located on its front face. Device for connecting thin strips of supply coils according to the first claim, characterized in that the reel holders (3) and (4) are mounted on vertical guides (26) and can be moved individually by means of the mechanisms actuation which are included in these guides. Device for connecting the thin strips of supply coils according to the first claim characterized in that the reel holders (3) and (4) comprise two arms (36) parallel and opposite, mounted on an axis (38) and which can move to get closer to or away from each other; these arms (36) incorporate cones which make it possible to grip the coils to be supported; these cones (41) are associated with a cylinder (42) inside and along the axis of which a rod (43) can move and, thanks to inclined guides (47), act on elements (44) which can exit or retract radially from the cylinder. Device for connecting thin strips of supply coils according to the fifth claim, characterized in that the cylinder (42) of the cones (41) comprises a casing (49) movable along its axis on which acts a pusher device (50) mounted on the arm (36) and comprising push cylinders (51). Device for connecting the thin strips of supply coils according to the fifth claim, characterized in that each arm (36) incorporates a braking mechanism (52) which acts on the rotating assembly of the cone (41) to control the speed of spool rotation and paper tape tension. Device for connecting thin strips of supply coils according to the first claim, characterized in that the structures (9) and (10) on which the hook-shaped hanging elements (11) and (12) move, comprise their end a fixed element (34) in the form of a ramp which is at the height of the hook of the movable element (11) or (12) and by which the mandrel is detached from the reel holder and can be placed in a container (35). Device for connecting thin strips of supply coils according to the first claim, characterized in that , above the central position in which the heads (6) and (7) are brought together, find two parallel rollers (13) and (14) which leave between them a space through which passes the strip which feeds the motor unit (15); one of these rollers (13) whose position is fixed rotates freely on its axis while the second (14), which does not rotate, can move to approach or move away from the first so as to press against it the strip power.

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