US3869095A

US3869095A - Three drum winder

Info

Publication number: US3869095A
Application number: US408537A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack L Diltz
Original assignee: Beloit Corp
Current assignee: Beloit Corp
Priority date: 1973-10-23
Filing date: 1973-10-23
Publication date: 1975-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-04
Also published as: BR7408799D0; IT1025113B; JPS5548055B2; JPS5082305A; ES431216A1

Abstract

A winder for a web of sheet material which operates continuously without the start-stop winding operations characteristically associated with the prior art. The winder uses three revolvably driven drums which drive a pair of spaced, parallel core shafts. A web of sheet material is fed over a portion of the center drum and is continuously wound alternately upon first one core shaft until a roll is formed thereon and then the other core shaft.

Description

States i Elite Diltz [45] Mar. 4, 1975 THREE DRUM WTNDER [75] lnventor: Jack L. Diltz, Beloit, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Beloit Corporation, Beloit, Wis.

[22] Filed: Oct. 23, 1.973

21 Appl. No.: 408,537

[52] US. Cl. 242/56 R, 242/66, 242/67.l R, 242/74 [51] llnt. C1 1365b 19/20, B65h 17/08 [58] Field of Search 242/56 R, 66, 65, 67.1 R, 242/74 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,819,406 8/1931 Cannard 242/67.1 R

1,868,115 7/1932 Mu1ligan.... 242/67.1 R

1,870,224 8/1932 Berry 242/66 2,567,387 9/1951 Link 242/74 X 2,670,152 2/1954 Priest l 242/66 3,047,248 7/1962 Birch 242/56 R Primary E.\'anzinerEdward J. McCarthy Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT A winder for a web of sheet material which operates continuously without the start-stop winding operations characteristically associated with the prior art. The winder uses three revolvably driven drums which drive a pair of spaced, parallel core shafts. A web of sheet material is fed over a portion of the center drum and is continuously wound alternately upon first one core shaft until a roll is formed thereon and then the other core shaft.

25 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATEN'I'EUHAR 4W5 3.869.095

sum u or 5 THREE DRUM WINDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides apparatus and method which is adapted to operate at a continuous speed without the production difficulties associated with stopping a winder to thread it, then bringing it up to an operating speed, winding a roll, followed by a slow down for finishing and/or removing the wound roll. By the present invention, a web of paper or the like I is fed to a winder of the present invention, brought up to a center drum which guides the web to one of two core shafts upon which the web is wound until a desired roll is formed. Next, the web is cut and guided by the center drum to the second core shaft upon which the web is wound until another desired roll is formed and the procedure is repeated back to the first core shaft. Finished rolls are transferred away.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and a method for winding which alleviates the start-stop winding operations known to the prior art.

Another object is to provide a winder which operates continuously and at a constant speed, including a drum subassembly therefor.

Another object is to provide a winder to which a web of paper or the like from a paper machine, parent roll, or the like is continuously fed and wound upon winding cores sequentially.

Another object is to provide various apparatus embodiments of a continuous winder using three rolls and two core shafts.

Another object is to provide a process for continuous winding of a web of sheet material upon to a succession of core shafts.

Other and further objects, purposes, advantages, utilities, and features will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the present specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified, side elevational diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a winder of the present invention at the start of a roll winding operation upon one core shaft thereon;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing such embodiment near the end of such a roll winding operation as started in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagrammatic view in side elevation of the web cutting assembly employed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is another view similar to FIG. 1 but showing such embodiment near the start of a roll winding operation upon the other core shaft thereon as the previous roll is being removed therefrom;

FIG. 5 is another view similar to FIG. 1 but showing such embodiment at the close of a roll removal operation during winding ofa roll upon such other core shaft;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view in side: elevation showing the embodiment ofFlGS. 1-5 as a roll is being wound upon such other core shaft;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a simplified, side elevational, diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the present invention at the start of a roll winding operation upon one core shaft thereon;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing such embodiment near the end of such a roll winding operation as started in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is another view similar to FIG. 8 but showing such embodiment just before a roll winding operation starts upon the other core shaft thereon as the web is being severed and as the previous roll is starting to be removed;

FIG. 11 is a simplified, side elevational, diagrammatic view of still another embodiment of the present invention at the start of a roll winding operation upon one core shaft thereon;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but showing such embodiment near the end of such a roll winding opera tion as started in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing such embodiment just before a roll winding operation starts upon the other core shaft thereon as the web is severed and as the previous roll starts its removal movement; and

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view longitudinally taken through one embodiment of a center drum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7 there is seen a three drum winder of the present invention herein designated in its entirety by the numeral 20. Winder 20 utilizes three axially revolvably mounted

drums

21, 22 and 23. Each

drum

21, 22 and 23 at its opposite end portions is equipped with a pair of axially aligned

opposed stub shafts

24, 25 and 26, respectively (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Each pair of

stub shafts

24, 25 and 26 is journalled for rotational movements in pairs of

bearing assemblies

28, 29 and 30, respectively.

Each pair of

such bearing assemblies

28, 29 and 30 at opposite ends of the

drums

21, 22 and 23 is supported by a pair of horizontal I beams 31 in the frame which supports winder 20.

Each of

drums

21, 22 and 23 has generally cylindrical

side wall portions

33, 34 and 35, respectively. In winder 20, the

axes

36, 37 and 38 of

respective drums

21, 22 and 23 are generally horizontally aligned with one another and are in spaced, parallel relationship with each other. The

side wall portions

33, 34 and 35 of each

respective drum

21, 22 and 23 are in adjacent, spaced re- A conventional drive means (not shown) is provided to drive rotatably the drum 22 at a substantially constant speed in one direction of rotation.

In an operating winder 20, a pair of vacuumizable, axially revolvably mounted

core shaft members

40 and 41, which can be of a conventional sort, are provided. One such core shaft 40 is positioned with its circumferential side walls 42 supported both by one outermost drum 21 and by the third drum 22, while the other such core shaft 41 is positioned with its circumferential side walls 43 supported both by the other of the outermost drums 23 and by the third drum 22. The drum 22 is thus adapted to rotatably drive the

core shaft members

40 and 41 respectively during operation of winder 20. In turn,

core shaft members

40 and 41, respectively, drive

rolls

21 and 23 in an operating winder 20. Each of the

core shafts

40 and 41, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, has, at its opposite ends, terminal stub shafts 86 mounted in respective pairs of bearing assemblies 87.

In winder 20, each of the

vacuumizable core shafts

40 and 41 is conventionally vacuumized by having its respective cylindrical

working surface portions

42 and 43 formed with a plurality of apertures 39 therein. For example, these aperatures 39 can communicate with interior channels which, in turn, interconnect with an input orifice 85 defined in the stub shaft assembly 86 thereof.

Each of the

core shafts

40 and 41, during operation of winder 20, is fitted with a concentric sleeve 88 which can be formed of molded plastic, pressure laminated layers of paper, or the like, and whose cylindrical circumferential walls carry a plurality of perforations 89. The interior surface of each sleeve 88 is adapted to engage

cylindrical surface portions

42 and 43 of

respective core shafts

40 and 41 and to permit reduced pressures to be exerted on the exterior surface of sleeves 88 mounted on

core shafts

40 and 41 through perforations 89 therein coacting with apertures 39 in

core shafts

40 and 41. After a winding operation on winder 20, a sleeve 88 is removed with a finished roll, and a new sleeve 88 is inserted over an end of

core shaft

40 or 41, as the case may be.

During operation of the winder 20, it is necessary to raise vertically

thecore shaft members

40 and 41 as a web 75 of sheet material is wound over

such shafts

40 or 41 depending upon which shaft is being wound. To accomplish such a raising, each of the bearing assemblies 87 is equipped with a radially extending arm having an enlarged head portion 90. Each of the two such head portions 90 is mounted about the sides of each of a different one of a pair of vertically mounted, laterally spaced cross sectionally C-shaped bars or rails 45 with each head portion 90 extending into a slot 91 longitudinally formed in each bar 45. Each bar 45 is vertically mounted adjacent bearing assemblies 87. Each of the bearing assemblies 87 is engaged on its bottom surface with the head or end of a piston 46 of a pneumatic cylinder 47, each cylinder 47 being mounted for vertical extension and retraction movements of the piston 46 thereof adjacent respective bars 45. Thus, when a pair of pistons 47 each a termination under a different one of the pair of bearing assemblies or pillow blocks 87 for each of a

core shaft member

40 or 41, as the case may be, is actuated,

such core shaft

40 or 41 is raised vertically with head portions 90 riding along bars 45. The combination including such head portions 90, slots 91 in the C-shaped bars 45, and pistons 46 of cylinders 47 thus provides an extensible support means for each of the bearing assemblies 87 of the

core shaft members

40 and 41 so that such may be raised upwardly away from the

drums

21, 22 and 23 with the axes 92 of core shaft 40 remaining equally distant from both the third drum 22 and the drum 21, and the axis 93 of core shaft 41 remaining equally distant from both the third drum 22 and drum 23.

'A pair of axially revolvably mounted

rider rolls

49 and 50 are provided. Rider roll 49 is adapted to have its circumferential side walls 94 contact initially a side wall portion of sleeve 88 mounted on core shaft 40 and rider roll 50 is adapted to have its circumferential side walls (not detailed in FIG. 6) contact a side wall portion of sleeve 88 (mounted on core shaft 41). In operation of the winder 20, each of the rider rolls 49 and 50 is thus driven by the rotational movements of respective

core shaft members

40 and 41, respectively. Also, a

rider roll

49 or 50 serves to position and guide a

core shaft

40 or 41, respectively, as a web of sheet material is being wound thereon during operation of the winder 20.

To raise the rider rolls 49 and 50 alternately (depending upon which of the

respective core shafts

40 or 41 is being wound with a web 75) during operation of the winder 20, extensible support means therefor is provided. Thus, for example, for the stub shaft 49a at each end of rider roll 49 (see FIG. 7), a bearing assembly 52 is provided. Each bearing assembly 52 is equipped with a radially outwardly extending clamping foot portion 53. Each such foot portion 53 slidably engages a rail 54, there being one such rail 54 at each respective end of each

rider roll

49 and 50 positioned to guide the upward movements of such

respective rolls

49 and 50. The rails 54 thus permit the axes of the

respective rolls

49 and 50 to move upwardly and downwardly diagonally along prechosen respective paths, each such paths being more inclined than the respective translational paths followed by the

axes

92 and 93, respectively of

core shafts

40 and 41 as such core shaft axes and such rider roll axes rise to increasing heights above the

drums

21, 22 and 23 as a web 75 is (alternately) wound over

core shafts

40 and 41 during operation of the winder 20. The foot portion 53 of each bearing assembly 52 is preferably adapted to make engagement with each of the rails 54 in'a locking configuration.

To regulate such translational movements of rider rolls 49 and 50, a pneumatic cylinder 55 is provided, each cylinder being equipped with a piston 56, one such cylinder 55 being at each end of each

rider roll

49 and 50, respectively, with the piston 56 being engaged with foot portion 53. Each of the cylinders 55 has its axis inclined at an angle comparable to that associated with the axis of each adjacent respective rail 54. Each of the pistons 56 of respective cylinders 55 is initially in an extended position with respect to its associated

rider roll

49 and 50, respectively (rolls 49 and 50 initially resting along

core shafts

40 and 41, respectively).

As a roll of a web 75 develops in a winding operation upon a

core shaft

40 or 41, the

rider roll

49 or 50, respectively, moves upwardly, and the pistons 56 are retracted away from the

drums

21, 22 and 23 by cylinders 55. In this way, a predetermined pressure is maintainable between the side wall portions of the respective rider rolls 49 and 50 relative to a roll of a web 75 of sheet material being wound alternately upon respective ones of the

core shaft members

40 and 41. The combination of foot portion 53, rails 54, cylinders 55 and pistons 56 thus provides a desired extensible support means for each of the rider rolls 49 and 50 for a winder 20. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that extensible support means employed in a winder can be of any convenient construction for

core shafts

40 and 41 and rider rolls 49 and 50, respectively.

An axially revolvably mounted pusher roll 58 is provided. The pusher roll 58 is positioned above, and in coaxially spaced relationship to, the

drums

21, 22 and 23. The pusher roll 58 is adapted to function as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one of the

core shaft members

40 or 41. The pusher roll 58 is further adapted to function as a wound roll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of the

core shaft members

40 or 41.

Although any convenient construction may be used, in the embodiment shown, the pusher roll 58 is supported at its opposite end portions from stub shafts 60 (paired). Each stub shaft 60 is journalled for rotational movements within an upstanding arm 59 which depends at its upper end, from the side wall of each of a pair of horizontally mounted pneumatic cylinders 61. Each cylinder 61 is of the conventional double acting type and is equipped with a pair of generally coaxial, oppositely extending piston members 62 and 63, respectively. The outer end of each coaxial piston 62 and 63 is fixed. Lateral movements of the pusher roll 58 are thus initiated and controlled by the activation of cylinder 61 so that the pusher roll 58 is moved in a left-hand or right-hand direction as desired or necessary during operation of winder 20. A pusher roll 58 may be equipped with another pair of cylinders (not shown) with associated guide means (not shown) to permit vertical extension and retraction movements of a pusher roll 58, which aids one desiring to use a pusher roll 58 both as a guide roll and as a wound roll shifter, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a pusher roll 58 may be provided with a brake assembly (not shown) to aid in stopping rotation of a finished roll and in discharging a roll from a winder. The brake also improves the safety of the preferred three position control of a wound roll in a winder of this invention and aids in reducing or controlling rotational speeds associated with a roll being wound on a winder of this invention.

A pair of

stationary vacuum boxes

65 and 66, respectively, are each located within the third drum 22,

such boxes

65 and 66 each opening adjacent the inside circumferential perforated side wall of the third drum 22. Each one of

such vacuum boxes

65 and 66 is circumferentially spaced from the other thereof within drum 22, and each one terminates at a horizontally extending position along the circumference of the third drum 22 which just precedes the horizontally extending position where a different one of the

core shaft members

40 and 41 contacts the third roll 22 initially. Each one of these

stationary vacuum boxes

65 and 66 is adapted to exert as desired a subatmospheric pressure through the adjacent circumferential surface portion of the third drum 22 moving thereover during operation of the winder 20. These

vacuum boxes

65 and 66 may be generally conventionally constructed, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

A pair of stationary

pressurized boxes

68 and 69, respectively, are each located within the third drum 22,

such boxes

68 and 69 each opening adjacent the inside circumferential perforated side wall of the third drum 22. Each one of such

pressurized boxes

68 and 69 is circumferentially spaced from the other thereof within drum 22 and each one terminates at a horizontally ex tending position along the circumference of the third drum 22 which just succeeds the horizontally extending position where a different one of the

core shaft members

40 and 41 contacts the third. roll 22 initially. Each stationary

pressurized box

68 and 69 is in an adjacent, abutting relationship to a

vacuum box

65 and 66. Each one of the stationary

pressurized boxes

68 and 69 is adapted to exert as desired a superatmosphcric pressure through the adjacent circumferential surface portion of the third drum 22 moving thereover during operation of the winder 20. These

pressure boxes

68 and 69 may be generally conventionally constructed, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

In order to vacuumize each of the vacuumizable

core shaft members

40 and 41 as well as each of the vacuum box means 65 and 66, as desired, a conventional source of vacuum is provided (not shown). Thus, a vacuum pump may be employed which is interconnected with such components to be vacuumized by appropriate tubing and valves (not detailed).

Similarly, means is provided for pressurizing each of the pressurized stationary boxes 68 and 69 (not shown). Conveniently, such a pressurization may be accomplished by using a compression pump which is interconnected with such components to be pressurized by appropriate tubing and valves (not detailed).

Similarly, means is provided to operate pneumatic cylinders, such as 47, 55 and 61 (not shown), which conveniently may be a conventional air pump assembly or the like. In place of pneumatic cylinders, one may employ hydraulic cylinders, in which event a source of hydraulic fluid pressure is employed, all as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate.

Web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet material to the third drum 22 is provided. In winder 20, the web guide means includes the combination of

guide rollers

71, 72 and 73, respectively, which are of conventional construction. Threading may be accomplished by using the machine rope system At the end of formation of a roll 98 on a

core shaft

40 or 41 using the winder 20, it is necessary to sever, break, cut, or the like, an oncoming stream of webbing material 75 before starting a web winding operation on the other

such core shafts

40 or 41. Such a severance can be accomplished by any conventional means. One suitable form of cutting device comprises an assembly 76 which includes (referring to FIG. 3) a shaft 77 having mounted thereon a pair of axially spaced, axially mounted

disc members

78 and 79, respectively. Between the circumferential outer edge portions of the

disc members

78 and 79 is extended a wire 80. When a web 75 is brought over the shaft 77 during operation of assembly 76, the wire 80 cuts the web 75 along a diagonal path, as shown in FIG. 3. This diagonal path is desirable in the operation of the winder 28 since it per mits a portion of web 75 to be continuously engaged with third roller 22 at all times during the severing operation and start of a new roll winding operation upon either of the two

core shaft members

40 or 41, as the case may be. Any convenient cutting device may be employed in the practice of this invention, or equiva lent.

A completed, wound roll 98 of web 75 on either a

core shaft

40 or 41 is held by three contact regions longitudinally extending along its circumferential surface; these contact regions are provided, respectively, by, for example, in FIG. 2, roll 22, roll 23, and roll 50. However, in removing a wound roll 98 from the winder 20, pusher roll 58 is moved into position against the completed roll 98 and moves such completed wound roll 98 away from drum 22. Drum 22 revolves at a constant speed at all times during operation of the winder 20. After pusher roll 58 has moves such completed roll 98 out of contact with center drum 22, the rotational movements of such completed roll 98 are braked to decelerate the rotating wound roll 98. Such deceleration is accomplished conveniently by decelerating

outer drums

21 or 23, depending upon which one is adjacent a

wound roll

98 or 99. To decelerate

drums

21 or 23, each

drum

21 and 23 is equipped with a

brake

117 and 118, respectively. Alternatively, or additionally, as desired, rolls 49 and 50 may be each equipped with a brake. Conventional brake assemblies can be employed. For example, referring to FIG. 7, drum or roll 49 may be equipped with a disc brake assembly designated in its entirety by the numeral 112. Assembly 112 employs a disc 113 having a hub connection 114 mounted on stub shaft 49a. A caliper assembly 114 fits over the outer rim portions of disc 113, and the caliper assembly 114 includes the usual disc brake hydraulically operated piston and brake pads (not detailed).

Thus, to remove a completed

wound roll

98 or 99 of web 75 upon a

core shaft

40 or 41, respectively, from the winder 20, a full roll width plate 82 is positioned adjacent roll 21, and another full roll width plate 83 is positioned adjacent roll 23, each

plate

82 or 83 being outwardly extending at opposite ends of the

outermost drums

21 and 23, respectively. Each

such plate

82 or 83 is adapted to receive and support a decelerated and non-rotating completed

wound roll

98 or 99 and to cradle such laterally (transversely) outwardly from the

respective drum

21 or 23 to a conventional conveyor pick up assembly, such as 96 (see FIG. not detailed herein and not part of the present invention), or the like, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. Each

plate

82 and 83 is, in winder 20, pivoted by means of a pair of pistonequipped pneumatic cylinders 119 (one pair for each

plate

82 and 83 about a pair of pivot shafts 82a and 83a, respectively laterally outwardly extending in opposed relationship from each

plate

82 and 83 into a journaled, appropriate engagement with frame members of winder 20. Any convenient means may be employed to receive and transfer a non-rotating or even a rotating

finished wound roll

98 or 99 from a winder and to some sort of conveyor means, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

Conventional control means (not detailed) is provided for operating cooperatively, functionally, and sequentially the elements of winder 20, including the extensible support means, the vacuum box means, the means for pressurizing, the cutting means, the pressure roll means, the web rider rolls, and the like, so as to adapt a winder 20 to wind a web 75 of sheet material continuously and uniformly on first one, then the other, of

core shaft members

40 and 41. A winder 20 may be automatically operated, or some combination thereof, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

ln winder 20, the center drum 22, with its

vacuum boxes

65 and 66 and its

pressurized boxes

68 and 69 located so as to immediately precede and follow the contact zone of each of the two

core shafts

40 and 41 with sleeves 88 thereon against drum 22 may utilize socalled Venta grooving on its opposed sides of an appropriate spacing to support the

core shafts

40 and 41. the wound web being rolled thereon, whether mounted on or below the horizontal axis 37. The wound roll take-away devices can be similar to that employed on a conventional winder using, for example, a curved shoe roll lowering table tied in with a guard board, or extending a guard board out to a conventional takeaway conveyor. At either one of such a take-away conveyor, there can be a station for removal of the core shafts from sleeves 88, unless a core sleeve 88 is not, alternatively, employed over a core shaft in a winder 20.

The sequence of operation can be as follows: A web 75 initially is unwound (in winder 20, for example, by hand), as from a parent roll, or from a machine calendar utilizing a rope system, or the like, and the web 75 is passed over tension rolls and around a slitter section, and finally brought up to make contact with a first vacuum box 65 on the center drum 22 which holds the web 75 in place for threading. A core shaft 41 is positioned between the center drum 22 and the right-hand drum 23, and the vacuum is turned on in box 65. As the center drum 22 and the right-hand drum 23 revolve in the same direction, the web is passed around the surface of drum 22 until it makes contact with the nip of core shaft 41 against drum 22, at which point the vacuum of the core shaft 41 pulls the paper away from the center drum 22, assisted by the pressurized blow box 68 in the drum 22. The vacuumized core shaft 41 facilitates and assures a good tight start for web 75, and, as the web 75 winds up over core shaft 41, the rider roll 50 (which also serves as a guard roll) is elevated on an inclined path 97 to the right, as a paper roll 98 builds up to its desired usually predetermined diameter, which may be, for example, about 48 inches, but, depending on demand this diameter can be either more or less, provided appropriate arrangements are designed into the various winder 20 elements and sub-mechanisms, as those skilled in the art will appreciate web 75 is formed of virtually any material,

When a roll 98 has built up to its desired, finished diameter the following transfer procedure may be employed: The second vacuumized box 66 is turned on in the center drum 22, and the pressurized box 68, and also, if desired, depending upon a particular operational mode vacuumized box 65, are turned off. The web 75 is taken away from the right-hand wound roll 98, and held to the circumferential surface of center drum 22 until web 75 makes contact with the left-hand vacuum core shaft 40, at which point web 75 is transferred to the core shaft 40 through use of the vacuumized box 66, assisted by the pressurized blow box 69 in the center drum 22. The web 75 parts when the tensioning forces thereon exceed the web 75 strength, but, on heavy weight webs, this transfer is preferably aided by the use of a traversing tail cutter, perforating air knife, or the like. The new roll 99 on shaft 40 can be building up as pusher roll 58 is brought into contact with roll 98 so that roll 98 is held continuously in three nip regions provided by the right-hand drum 23, the rider roll 50, and pusher roll 58, plus, momentarily, by a fourth nip region provided by the center drum 22. The wound roll 98 of paper is still rotating as the pusher roll 58, working in conjunction with the rider roll 50 moves roll 98 to the right and removes roll 98 from contact with the revolvably driven center drum 22. Simultaneously, the right-hand drum 23, and/or pusher roll 58 and/or rider roll 50 may be used as brakes (as indicated above) to retard and stop the roll 98 from rotating. This deceleration is preferably adjusted to completely stop revolutions of roll 98 by the time that the roll 98 is at the 12 oclock (vertical) position upon the righthand drum 23, when roll 98 on a sleeve 88 then may be removed from core shaft 41 and transferred to (downstream) roll wrapping stations, or the like (not shown). The pusher roll 58 thus continues to move roll 98 over center (relative to drum 23) to a position to the right of center.

The left-hand roll 40 is now building up with web 75 and causing the rider roll 49 to move diagonally upwardly. The pusher roll 58 may be brought into contact with the developing left-hand roll 99, and then is able to assist in removal of a completed roll 99 from contact with drum 22 to the left-hand side of the drum 21 analogous to the manner described for a right-hand roll 98 removal in a sinder 20. While the left-hand roll 99 is being built up, a new vacuum core shaft 41 and/or a sleeve 88 is/are inserted depending on the particular equipment configuration being employed into the right-hand position ready to make suitable contact with the nips of the center drum 22 the side drum 23 and rider roll 50, respectively. When the left hand roll 99 has been built up to its desired diameter, the vacuum box 65 is then energized, and the transfer is made back over to the core shaft assembly 41 through the assist of the high pressure blow box 68 for build up of a (second) roll 98 on the right-hand side. This sequence of operations continues normally as long as desired, or as long as there is a continuous supply of web 75, as from the parent roll, or the like, usually and preferably without a need to cut and splice web lengths together.

When a parent roll is used, such is usually large enough to produce continuously at least several finished rolls such as

rolls

98 and 99, and a flying splice arrangement may be made between successive parent rolls on an unwind stand so as to permit continuous operation of a winder such as 20.

In the case of, for example, newsprint machines, a winder can be so arranged as to take newsprint directly from such a machine as newsprint is being produced. The winder 20 drive speeds are then synchronized with paper machine drive speeds. No reel is required, as off-grade start-up paper may be wound, for example, on the right side of a winder 20, and then, after such a paper machine is on grade and up to speed, a transfer is accomplished to the left side of such winder 20, and a roll 99 of standard quality is prepared.

Winding at paper machine speed, rather than varying.

from a standstill to a maximum of, for example, about three times that of the machine speed, provides the capability of more uniformly wound rolls with less or minimal tension control equipment. Culled or imperfect rolls may be worked off, for example, during wire change shutdowns. Culled rolls, if desired, may be subsequently slit, thus making possible a small narrow (e.g. 60 inches or even less) which can be rewound for off machine reworking of slit and culled rolls. Full width culled rolls may also be worked off as parent rolls during wire breaks.

A web self-threading arrangement for winders of this invention, including a drum 22,

blow boxes

68 and 69, and vacuumized cores, may be used and is preferred. The initial threading through a web slitter section as to a drum 22 from a paper machine, can be accomplished by a modified rope system. No adhesive for starting a web on a core 40 or 41 is required, but such may be used, if desired, in place of, or in combination with, vacuumized cores. A winder can be adapted to operate without the rider rolls and the pusher roll, and also without pressurized blow boxes, but such features are much preferred in a winder 20 for reasons of safety and ease of operation and discharge. In web 75 separation during change-over from one core shaft to the other, a high pressure air knife may be used in conjunction with a drum 22 to perforate heavy basis weight levels to facilitate web transfer from core to core to aid in a web tension-parting arrangement such as described above.

Supply of vacuum to drum 22 and

cores

40 and 4 11 may be an intermittent requirement. Therefore, vacuum surge tanks may be used to cut equipment costs for a winder 20. Similarly, the pressurized air supply may also be intermittent to the

blow boxes

68 and 69 and to the perforating air knife, if such is used, so that a pressure surge tank may be utilized. Thus, the cost of higher capacity vacuum pumps and air compressors may be reduced.

An arrangement for allowing more time for roll 98 removal (limited by build-up time of for roll 99) may be had by lowering the outer rolls 21 and 23 (as shown in the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.)

In FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 the winder embodiment shown is designated in its entirety by the numeral 110. In the winder 110, components which function in a manner similar to or analogously to corresponding components in the embodiment of winder 20 of FIGS. 1 through 7 are similarly numbered but with the addition of prime marks thereto. In the winder 110, the side drums 21' and 23 have their respective axes 36 and 38' lowered relative to the axis 37 of drum 22; the axes 36', 37' and 38' remain otherwise in spaced parallel relationship one to another. Such an arrangement for drums 21, 22' and 23' permits more time for finished roll transfer by providing more clearance, and thereby facilitates discharge of finished rolls, such as roll 98', from the winder 110. The construction and operation of the winder is otherwise generally comparable to that of a winder 20.

In operation, a winder 110 permits more time to transfer a wound roll during discharge by providing more clearance for build-up of an adjacent roll being wound.

Winder 1110 uses a perforating air knife assembly Ill located in the radially spaced relationship to drum 22 (see FIG. 9). A high pressure air jet from the air knife assembly 111 operates in conjunction with the perforated drum 22' to perforate a web 75' passing between the air knife assembly 111 and the drum 22'. The resulting perforated web, which is so perforated at the end of a winding operation to form a paper roll 98', is weakened at the points of perforation. Thus, when the stationary vacuum box 66 is actuated and the web 75 is pulled along the circumferential face of the drum 22' over the stationary vacuum box 66' to a position between the combination of pressurized box 69' and the vacuumized core shaft 40'. Here, the web 75' parts along the web 75' perforations thus terminating the roll winding operation for roll 98 and permitting another roll winding operation to commence over the circumferential surfaces of the core shaft Another embodiment of a winder of this invention is illustrated in FIG. l1, l2 and 13, such embodiment being designated in its entirety by the numeral 115. In winder 115 components similarly functioning, or similar in construction to, components in winder 20 are similarly numbered, but with the addition of double prime marks thereto. The winder 115 utilizes an overhead feed for web which offers an advantage in improved web 75" break and confetti handling characteristics. For web transfer, winder is adapted to operate, for example, as follows: When a finished roll 99" is moved from contact with drum 22" to a position on solid drum 21" and rotation of the roll 99' is decreased, a slack or bag in web 75" develops progressively in circumferential direction about the surface of drum 22". The size and shape of such bag 120 may be generally controlled by the use of the vacuum boxes 65" and 66" and the pressurized boxes 68" and 69 behind the roll 22". When the bag 120 enters the nip between a core shaft 40" or 41", as the case may be, and the drum 22", the web 75" breaks, or parts, and the web 75" leading end is transferred to the other of the core shaft 40" or 41, as the case may be.

The embodiment 115 employs a pair of spaced, parallel pusher rolls 58a and 58b with a guide roll 58c therebetween instead of the single pusher roll 58 employed, for example, in the winder 20. The pusher rolls 58a and 58b are utilized here because of the use of a top overhead feed of a web 75", as those skilled in the art will appreciate; nevertheless, each of the pusher rolls 58a and 58b function in a manner similar to that associated with the single pusher roll 58 of the winder 20, except that roll 58a operates to the left while roll 58b operates to the right.

A winder of this invention eliminates the necessity for a separate combination of both a reel and a winder, as in a paper making operation, or the like. In addition, a winder of this invention provides a greater output capacity for a given winding mechanism using what may be slower, but which are continuous, operating speeds (compared to the start-accelerate-decelerate-stop operations of the priorart winders) which permit one to match, if desired, the output of a paper machine directly to a winder.

For convenience, wound roll take away means are not shown for the

embodiments

110 and 115, but any convenient such means may be employed, such as the means employed in winder 20.

The present invention further relates to a process for continuously winding a web of sheet material. The pro cess can be considered to use the steps of:

A. advancing continuously a web of sheet material at a substantially constant speed,

B. threading the end of such a web upon a core shaft whose circumferential surface portions are revolvably moving at a speed approximating that of said so advancing web,

C. winding said so advancing web upon said core shaft while maintaining the circumferential surface portions of such resulting developing roll at a speed approximating that of said web speed until such developing roll reaches a desired size,

D. cutting (or otherwise slitting, parting, breaking a web more or less transversely thereacross relative to the direction of web forward movement) said so wound but advancing web as such so advances,

E. threading the end of said so wound and so advancing cut web upon another core shaft whose circumferential surface portions are revolvably moving at a speed approximating that of said so advancing web, and finally,

F. winding said so advancing web upon such other core shaft while maintaining the circumferential sur face portions of such resulting developing roll at a speed approximating that of said web speed until such developing roll reaches a desired size.

This process preferablyfurther includes the repetition of such steps (D), (E) and (F) in the above indicated sequence. A sheet material so wound by this process is preferably comprised of a non-woven cellulosic composition. Preferably, the core shafts used in such process are each revolvably driven by, a single drum, and also are each inidividually supported by at least two drums, one of which is such driven drum, and more preferably the roll being wound is supported by at least three drums (one of which is a driven drum which drives rotatably the roll being wound). In a winding operation of such process, the web being wound passes over a portion of the circumferential surface portions of the so driven drum. Most preferably, the process uses three drums one of which is driven, and also two core shafts on which rolls are alternately formed. These three drums are preferably horizontally aligned, and are most preferably substantially coplanar as respects their individual axes. Typically in the practice of the process of the present invention, the three drums used either have their respective axes horizontally aligned (with the two laterally outermost drums being spatially lower than the third or central drum) or the three drums have their respective axes substantially horizontally aligned and substantially coplanar.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is seen one embodiment of a center drum, such as drum 22 of winder 20. Such drum 22 employs a cylindrical member 122 having a circumferential wall 123 and a pair of

opposed end walls

124 and 125. The circumferential wall 123 has a plurality of apertures 126 defined thereon.

A pair of hollow opposed slot or

stub shafts

127 and 128 are used each one interconnects with a different one of said end walls 124 and respectively, together with associated pillow blocks 129 and 130

shafts

127 and 128 adapted member 122 to axially revolve.

A power head (such as an electric motor 141) including power transfer means (such as a gear train 142) are 7 adapted to rotatably drive the cylindrical member 122.

A pair of

boxes

132 and 133 are provided, each

box

132 and 133 has an interior which is adapted to be maintained at and subatmospheric pressures. Each

box

132 and 133 is positioned inside cylindrical member 122 in circumferentially spaced relationship to each other. Each

box

132 and 133 has an apertured face in adjacent, generally spaced relationship to a different interior portion of said circumferential wall 123. The dimensions of each such interior portions are such that each has a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel the axis of the cylindrical member 122 and a pair of longitudinally spaced circumferentially extending borders parallel to the

end walls

124 and 125.

A pair of

stationary rod members

135 and 136 as provided. Each

rod member

135 and 136 extend through a different one of said slot or

stub shafts

135 and 136, respectively, and the

rod members

135 and 136 include engagement means mounting

such rod members

135 and 136 to the pair of

boxes

132 and 133 and adopting

such boxes

132 and 133 to be stationary during revolutions of said cylindrical member 122.

Passageways defined by tabs 137 and 138, channel 139 in rod 135, and tube 140 interconnected with each one of said pair of

boxes

132 and 133 to join the interior of each one of said pair of

boxes

132 and 133 with a source of subatmospheric pressure (not shown) positioned exteriorly of said cylindrical member 122. Such passageways thus extend through at least one

slot staft

127 and 128. During operation of said drum assembly 122, subatmospheric pressures are thus maintained in each one of said pair of

boxes

132 and 133, as desired, so that the exterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of said interior portions are vacuumizable.

The drum assembly 132 preferably including a second pair of boxes (not detailed in FIG. 14) whose respective interiors are adapted to be maintained at superatmospheric pressures. Each such box of such second pair is positioned inside said cylindrical member 122 in circumferentially spaced relationship to the other thereof; each such second box has an apertured face in adjacent, generally spaced relationship to a different second interior position of said cylindrical wall. Each such second interior positions, similarly has a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel to the axes of said cylindrical member and further has a pair of longitudinally spaced circumferentially extending borders parallel to said

end walls

124 and 125. Each one of said second pair of boxes is adjacent the trailing longitudinal border, relative to the direction of rotation of the cylindrical member 122, of a different one of said pair of

boxes

132 and 133. Such second pair of boxes is similarly supported to said pair of stationary rod members, 135 and 136.

Second conduit means,- such as tube 142, are provided for connecting each one of the second pair of boxes with a source of superatmospheric pressure positioned externally of said cylindrical member 122. Each such conduit means passes longitudinally through the interior of at least one of said

slot shafts

122 and 128. Thus, during operation of the drum assembly 122, superatmospheric pressures are maintainable in each one of said second pair of boxes, as desired so that the exterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of said second interior portions are pressurizable.

Preferably such a drum assembly 122 may be considered to include both a source of subatmospheric pressure and a source of superatmospheric pressure.

Other and further embodiments and various of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the present specification taken together with the drawings and no undue limitations are to be inferred or implied from the present disclosure.

The claims are:

1. In a winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operation the subcombination comprising A. three axially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generally aligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterally outermost drums being displaced one from the other with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions,

B. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such corc shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by the other'of said outermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatablly drive said core shaft members,

C. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially located within but adjacent said cylindrical side wall portions of said third drum, each of said vacuum box means being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one of said vacuum box means terminating at a position longitudinally across the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position longitudinally where a different one of said core shaft members, when such is positioned in said means for axially revolvably mounting such, contacts said third roll initially, each one of said vacuum box members being adapted to exert a reduced gas pressure through said third drum, and

D. a pair of stationary pressurized box means circumferentially located within but adjacent said cylindrical side wall portions of said third drum, each of said pressurized box means being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one of said pressurized box means commencing at a position longitudinally across the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position longitudinally where a different one of said core shaft members, when such is positioned in said means for axially revolvably mounting such, contacts said third roll initially, each one of said pressurized box means being adapted to exert a superatmospheric gas pressure through said third drum.

2. A winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operation comprising A. Three axially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generally aligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterally outermost drums being displaced one from the other with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions,

B. drive means adapted to drive revolvably said third drum at a substantially constant speed and in one direction of rotation,

C. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by the other of said out.- ermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaft members,

D. first extensible support means for each of said revolvable mounting means adapted to raise said revolvable mounting means upwardly away from said drums with the axis of each of said core shaft members remaining equally distant from both said third drum and the nearest one of said outermost drums,

E. a pair of axially revolvably mounted rider rolls including mounting means therefor, one such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of one of said core shaft members, the other such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of the other of said core shaft members,

F. second extensible support means for each of said rider rolls and adapted to raise said rider rolls upwardly away from said drums but with the axis of each of such rider rolls moving along respective paths increasingly inclined with respect to the paths followed by said core shaft members, axes with increasing distance from said drums,

G. an axially revolvably mounted pusher roll means including mounting means therefor and support means therefor positioned above in coaxially spaced relationship to said drums, said pusher roll means being adapted to function as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members and being further adapted to function as a wound roll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members,

H. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumfera pair of pressurized box means circumferentially located behind said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof commencing at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a superatmospheric pressure through said third drum, and

J. cutting means adapted to sever a web of sheet material being fed over said web quide means to said third drum.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including: A. means for vacuumizing each of said core shaft members and said vacuum box means,

B. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means. and

C. web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet material to said third drum.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including:

A. a pair of rail means outwardly positioned adjacent each one of said outermost drums and adapted to receive and support opposed end regions ofeach of said core shaft members after such has been wound with a web of sheet material and has been shifted from said drums by said pusher roll means, and

B. control means for operating cooperatively. functionally, and sequentially each one of said first and second extensible support means, said vacuum box means, said pressurized box means, said means for vacuumizing, said means for pressurizing. said cutting means, said pusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt a said winder to wind a web ofsheet material continuously on first one, then the other of said core shaft members.

5. A winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operation comprising A. three axially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generally horizontally aligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterally outermost drums being horizontally displaced one from the other with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions,

C. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by the other of said outermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaft members,

H. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially located behind but adjacent said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof terminating at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a reduced, pressure through said third drum,

. a pair of pressurized box means circumferentially located behind said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof commencing at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a superatmospheric presssure through said third drum,

J. means for vacuumizing each of said core shaft members and said vacuum box means,

K. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means,

L. web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet material to said third drum,

M. cutting means adapted to sever a web of sheet material being fed over said web guide means to said third drum,

N. a pair of rail means outwardly positioned adjacent each one of said outermost drums and adapted to receive and support opposed end regions of each of said core shaft members after such has been wound with a web of sheet material and has been shifted from said drums by said pusher roll means, and

0. control means for operating cooperatively, functionally, and sequentially each one of said first and second extensible support means, said vacuum box means, said pressurized box means, said means for vacuumizing, said means for pressurizing, said cutting means, said pusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt a said winder to wind a web of sheet material continuously on first one, then the other of said core shaft members.

6. The winder of claim 2 wherein said drums have their axes horizontally aligned and substantially coplanar.

7. The winder of claim 2 wherein said drums have their axes horizontally aligned and wherein said two laterally outermost drums are oriented spatially lower than said third drum.

8. The winder of claim 5 further including deceleration means for braking rotation of a wound roll comprised of a web of sheet material after such wound roll is lifted away from said centrally disposed drum by said pusher roll means during operation of said winder.

9. The winder of claim 5 wherein each of said laterally outermost drums is equipped with deceleration means for braking rotation thereof to a full stop when desired during operation of said winder.

10. The winder of claim 2 further including web guide means adapted to feed a said web to circumferential surface portions of said third drum.

11. The winder of claim 10 wherein said web is under-fed thereto by said web guide means.

12. The winder ofclaim 10 wherein said web is over head fed thereto by said web guide means.

13. A drum assembly adapted for use in a three-drum winder comprising A. a cylindrical member having a circumferential wall and a pair of opposed end walls, said circumferential wall having a plurality of apertures defined therein,

B. a pair of hollow opposed stub shafts, each one interconnected with a different one of said end walls and, together with associated] journal means, being adapted to axially revolve said cylindrical member,

C. a power head, including power transfer means, adapted to rotatably drive said cylindrical member.

D. a pair of boxes whose respective interiors are adapted to be maintained at subatinospheric pressures, each such box being positioned inside said cylindrical member in circumferentially spaced relationship to the other thereof, each box having an apertured face in adjacent, generally spaced relationship to a different interior portion of said circumferential wall each such interior portion having a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel to the axis of said cylindrical member and further having a pair of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending borders parallel to said end walls,

E. a pair of stationary rod members each one extending through a different one of said stub shafts said rod members including engagement means mounting said rod members of said pair of boxes and adapting said boxes to be stationary during revolutions of said cylindrical member,

F. conduit means interconnected with each one of said pair of boxes and adapted to join the interior of each one of said pair of boxes with a source of subatmospheric pressure positioned exeriorly of said cylindrical member, each said conduit means extending longitudinally through the interior of at least one of said stub shafts whereby during operation of said drum assembly subatmospheric pressures are maintainable in each one of said pair of boxes as desired so that the exterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of said interior portions are vacuumizab le.

14. The drum assembly of claim 13 further including A. a second pair of boxes whose respective interiors are adapted to be maintained at superatmospheric pressures, each such box being positioned inside said cylindrical member in circumferentially spaced relationship to the other thereof, each box having an apertured face in adjacent, generally spaced relationship to a different second interior portion of said circumferential wall, each such second interior portion having a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel to the axis of said cylindrical member and further having a pair of longitudinally spaced circumferentially extending borders parallel to said end walls, each one of said second pair of boxes being adjacent the trailing longitudinal border, relative to the direction of rotation of said cylindrical member, of a different one of said pair of boxes,

B. said second pair of boxes being mounted to said pair of stationary rod members,

C. second conduit means interconnected with each one of said second pair of boxes and adapted to join the interior of each one of said second pair of boxes with a source of superatmospheric pressure positioned exteriorly of said cylindrical member, each of said conduit means extending longitudinally through the interior of at least one of said stub shafts whereby during operation of said drum assembly superatmospheric pressures are maintainable in each one of said second pair of boxes as desired so that the exterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of said second interior portions are pressurizable.

15. The drum assembly of claim 14 further including a source of subatmospheric pressure and a source of superatmospheric pressure.

16. A winder for a web of sheet material comprising:

a frame;

a drive drum mounted for rotation in said frame, said drum having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of apertures and having means for selectively creating a vacuum at a first and second surface area of the cylindrical wall, said areas being eircumferentially spaced from each other;

means for rotating the drum;

a pair of cylindrical support drums rotatably for movement between a position engaging both the surface of the drive drum adjacent the second surface area and a surface of the other of the pair of support drums to transfer movement therebetween and a second position remote from the first position, so that selectively creating a vacuum at the first and second area selectively threads the web on one of the pair of core shafts for winding and shifting the vacuum between the two areas causes transfer of the web to the other of the pair of core shaft.

7 17. A winder according to claim 16, which includes means for cutting the web.

18. A winder according to claim 16, wherein the axes of the drive drum and support drums are horizontally aligned and substantially co-planar.

19. A winder according to claim 16, wherein the axes of the drive drum and support drums are horizontally algined and the axis of the drive drum-is oriented above the axis of the support drums.

20. A winder according to claim 16, which includes a pair of rider rolls, each roll being axially rotatably mounted and adapted to have a portion of its circumferential side walls contaet an upper side wall portion of one of said core shaft members and also a portion of a web material being wound thereon during operation of the winder.

21. A winder according to claim 20, which further includes axially revolvably mounted pusher roll means adapted to function as guide means for a roll of a web material being wound during operation of said winder and further adapted to function as a shift means for a wound roll of the web material.

22. A winder according to claim 16, which includes shiftable means above the drive drum for engaging a roll wound on a core shaft and moving the rollout of engagement with the drive drum.

23. A process for continuously winding a web of sheet material comprising the steps of:

providing a device having a rotatable drum having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of apertures therein, said drum having means for selectively creating a vacuum at first and second surface areas which are eircumferentially spaced on the cylindrical walls, said device having means for positioning a core shaft in engagement with circumferential wall adjacent the first and second areas to rotate with said drum;

rotating the drum at a constant speed to rotate the core shaft with a circumference speed of the cylindrical wall;

continuously advancing a web of sheet material to the drum at a speed corresponding to the cylindrical surface speed of the drum;

creating a vacuum at said first area to thread the end of the web between the drum and a first core shaft positioned adjacent to the first area and onto the core shaft;

winding the advancing web upon the first core shaft while maintaining the circumferential surface portions of the resulting developing roll in engagement with the drum until the developing roll reaches a desired size;

cutting the advancing web;

shifting the vacuum to the second area of the drum to then transfer the end of the advancing web between the drum and the second core shaft engaging the surface of the drum adjacent the second area and onto the second core shaft; and

winding the advancing web upon the second core shaft while maintaining the circumferential surface portions of the resulting developing roll in engagement with the drum until the developing roll reaches a desired size.

24. A process according to claim 23, wherein the step the second roll is being wound, the third core is in posi- I tion to start winding a third roll upon completion of the winding of the second roll.

UNITED STATES PATENT errrce QERTIFICATE 0F PATENT NO. 3, 869, 095

DATED March 4, 1975 INVENTOR(S) Jack L. Diltz It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 18, claim 13, paragraph E., line 4, change "said rod members of" to said rod members to;

- "exerior'ty" to --exterior1y-=-;

Column 19, claim 16, line :41, change "a position" to a first position;

lines

24 and 25, cancel "to transfer movement therebetween".

I3i ned and sealed this 1st day of July 1.975

(SE-311,) lttestz C. Bali- N RUTIT 8,, 31913021 Commissiorr'rer 0:? Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks

Claims

1. In a winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operation the subcombination comprising A. three axially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generally aligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterally outermost drums being displaced one from the other with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions, B. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by the other of said outermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaft members, C. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially located within but adjacent said cylindrical side wall portions of said third drum, each of said vacuum box means being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one of said vacuum box means terminating at a position longitudinally across the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position longitudinally where a different one of said core shaft members, when such is positioned in said means for axially revolvably mounting such, contacts said third roll initially, each one of said vacuum box members being adapted to exert a reduced gas pressure through said third drum, and D. a pair of stationary pressurized box means circumferentially located within but adjacent said cylindrical side wall portions of said third drum, each of said pressurized box means being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one of said pressurized box means commencing at a position longitudinally across the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position longitudinally wherE a different one of said core shaft members, when such is positioned in said means for axially revolvably mounting such, contacts said third roll initially, each one of said pressurized box means being adapted to exert a superatmospheric gas pressure through said third drum.

2. A winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operation comprising A. Three axially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generally aligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterally outermost drums being displaced one from the other with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions, B. drive means adapted to drive revolvably said third drum at a substantially constant speed and in one direction of rotation, C. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by the other of said outermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaft members, D. first extensible support means for each of said revolvable mounting means adapted to raise said revolvable mounting means upwardly away from said drums with the axis of each of said core shaft members remaining equally distant from both said third drum and the nearest one of said outermost drums, E. a pair of axially revolvably mounted rider rolls including mounting means therefor, one such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of one of said core shaft members, the other such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of the other of said core shaft members, F. second extensible support means for each of said rider rolls and adapted to raise said rider rolls upwardly away from said drums but with the axis of each of such rider rolls moving along respective paths increasingly inclined with respect to the paths followed by said core shaft members, axes with increasing distance from said drums, G. an axially revolvably mounted pusher roll means including mounting means therefor and support means therefor positioned above in coaxially spaced relationship to said drums, said pusher roll means being adapted to function as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members and being further adapted to function as a wound roll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members, H. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially located behind but adjacent said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof terminating at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a reduced, pressure through said third drum, I. a pair of pressurized box means circumferentially located behind said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof commencing at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a superatmospheric pressure through said third drum, and J. cuttiNg means adapted to sever a web of sheet material being fed over said web quide means to said third drum.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including: A. means for vacuumizing each of said core shaft members and said vacuum box means, B. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means, and C. web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet material to said third drum.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including: A. a pair of rail means outwardly positioned adjacent each one of said outermost drums and adapted to receive and support opposed end regions of each of said core shaft members after such has been wound with a web of sheet material and has been shifted from said drums by said pusher roll means, and B. control means for operating cooperatively, functionally, and sequentially each one of said first and second extensible support means, said vacuum box means, said pressurized box means, said means for vacuumizing, said means for pressurizing, said cutting means, said pusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt a said winder to wind a web of sheet material continuously on first one, then the other of said core shaft members.

5. A winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operation comprising A. three axially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generally horizontally aligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterally outermost drums being horizontally displaced one from the other with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions, B. drive means adapted to drive revolvably said third drum at a substantially constant speed and in one direction of rotation, C. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported by the other of said outermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaft members, D. first extensible support means for each of said revolvable mounting means adapted to raise said revolvable mounting means upwardly away from said drums with the axis of each of said core shaft members remaining equally distant from both said third drum and the nearest one of said outermost drums, E. a pair of axially revolvably mounted rider rolls including mounting means therefor, one such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of one of said core shaft members, the other such rider roll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of the other of said core shaft members, F. second extensible support means for each of said rider rolls and adapted to raise said rider rolls upwardly away from said drums but with the axis of each of such rider rolls moving along respective paths increasingly inclined with respect to the paths followed by said core shaft members, axes with increasing distance from said drums, G. an axially revolvably mounted pusher roll means including mounting means therefor and support means therefor positioned above in coaxially spaced relationship to said drums, said pusher roll means being adapted to function as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members and being further adapted to function as a wound roll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of said core shaft members, H. a pAir of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially located behind but adjacent said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof terminating at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a reduced, pressure through said third drum, I. a pair of pressurized box means circumferentially located behind said third drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereof commencing at a position along the circumference of said third roll which just precedes the position where a different one of said core shaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired a superatmospheric presssure through said third drum, J. means for vacuumizing each of said core shaft members and said vacuum box means, K. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means, L. web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet material to said third drum, M. cutting means adapted to sever a web of sheet material being fed over said web guide means to said third drum, N. a pair of rail means outwardly positioned adjacent each one of said outermost drums and adapted to receive and support opposed end regions of each of said core shaft members after such has been wound with a web of sheet material and has been shifted from said drums by said pusher roll means, and O. control means for operating cooperatively, functionally, and sequentially each one of said first and second extensible support means, said vacuum box means, said pressurized box means, said means for vacuumizing, said means for pressurizing, said cutting means, said pusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt a said winder to wind a web of sheet material continuously on first one, then the other of said core shaft members.

12. The winder of claim 10 wherein said web is overhead fed thereto by said web guide means.

13. A drum assembly adapted for use in a three-drum winder comprising A. a cylindrical member having a circumferential wall and a pair of opposed end walls, said circumferential wall having a plurality of apertures defined therein, B. a pair of hollow opposed stub shafts, each one interconnected with a different one of said end walls and, together with associated journal means, being adapted to axially revolve said cylindrical member, C. a power head, including power transfer means, adapted to rotatably drive said cylindrical member, D. a pair of boxes whose respective interiors are adapted to be maintained at subatmospheric pressures, each such box being positioned inside said cylindrical member in circumferentially spaced relationship to the other thereof, each box having an apertured face in adjacent, generally spaced rElationship to a different interior portion of said circumferential wall each such interior portion having a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel to the axis of said cylindrical member and further having a pair of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending borders parallel to said end walls, E. a pair of stationary rod members each one extending through a different one of said stub shafts said rod members including engagement means mounting said rod members of said pair of boxes and adapting said boxes to be stationary during revolutions of said cylindrical member, F. conduit means interconnected with each one of said pair of boxes and adapted to join the interior of each one of said pair of boxes with a source of subatmospheric pressure positioned exeriorly of said cylindrical member, each said conduit means extending longitudinally through the interior of at least one of said stub shafts whereby during operation of said drum assembly subatmospheric pressures are maintainable in each one of said pair of boxes as desired so that the exterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of said interior portions are vacuumizable.

14. The drum assembly of claim 13 further including A. a second pair of boxes whose respective interiors are adapted to be maintained at superatmospheric pressures, each such box being positioned inside said cylindrical member in circumferentially spaced relationship to the other thereof, each box having an apertured face in adjacent, generally spaced relationship to a different second interior portion of said circumferential wall, each such second interior portion having a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel to the axis of said cylindrical member and further having a pair of longitudinally spaced circumferentially extending borders parallel to said end walls, each one of said second pair of boxes being adjacent the trailing longitudinal border, relative to the direction of rotation of said cylindrical member, of a different one of said pair of boxes, B. said second pair of boxes being mounted to said pair of stationary rod members, C. second conduit means interconnected with each one of said second pair of boxes and adapted to join the interior of each one of said second pair of boxes with a source of superatmospheric pressure positioned exteriorly of said cylindrical member, each of said conduit means extending longitudinally through the interior of at least one of said stub shafts whereby during operation of said drum assembly superatmospheric pressures are maintainable in each one of said second pair of boxes as desired so that the exterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of said second interior portions are pressurizable.

16. A winder for a web of sheet material comprising: a frame; a drive drum mounted for rotation in said frame, said drum having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of apertures and having means for selectively creating a vacuum at a first and second surface area of the cylindrical wall, said areas being circumferentially spaced from each other; means for rotating the drum at a constant speed; a pair of cylindrical support drums rotatably mounted in the frame on opposite sides of the drive drum with their axes parallel to the axis of the drive drum; a pair of core shafts; means for rotatably mounting one of the pair of core shaft on the frame for movement between a position engaging both the surface of the drive drum adjacent said first surface area and a surface of one of the pair of support drums to transfer movement therebetween and a second position withdrawn therefrom; and means for rotatably mounting the other of the pair of core shafts on the frame for movement between a position engaging both the surfacE of the drive drum adjacent the second surface area and a surface of the other of the pair of support drums to transfer movement therebetween and a second position withdrawn therefrom, so that selectively creating a vacuum at the first and second area selectively threads the web on one of the pair of core shafts for winding and shifting the vacuum between the two areas causes transfer of the web to the other of the pair of core shaft.

17. A winder according to claim 16, which includes means for cutting the web.

19. A winder according to claim 16, wherein the axes of the drive drum and support drums are horizontally algined and the axis of the drive drum is oriented above the axis of the support drums.

20. A winder according to claim 16, which includes a pair of rider rolls, each roll being axially rotatably mounted and adapted to have a portion of its circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of one of said core shaft members and also a portion of a web material being wound thereon during operation of the winder.

22. A winder according to claim 16, which includes shiftable means mounted on the frame above the drive drum for engaging a roll wound on a core shaft and moving the roll out of engagement with the drive drum.

23. A process for continuously winding a web of sheet material comprising the steps of: providing a device having a rotatable drum having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of apertures therein, said drum having means for selectively creating a vacuum at first and second surface areas which are circumferentially spaced on the cylindrical walls, said device having means for positioning a core shaft in engagement with circumferential wall adjacent the first and second areas to rotate with said drum; rotating the drum at a constant speed to rotate the core shaft with a circumference speed of the cylindrical wall; continuously advancing a web of sheet material to the drum at a speed corresponding to the cylindrical surface speed of the drum; creating a vacuum at said first area to thread the end of the web between the drum and a first core shaft positioned adjacent to the first area and onto the core shaft; winding the advancing web upon the first core shaft while maintaining the circumferential surface portions of the resulting developing roll in engagement with the drum until the developing roll reaches a desired size; cutting the advancing web; shifting the vacuum to the second area of the drum to then transfer the end of the advancing web between the drum and the second core shaft engaging the surface of the drum adjacent the second area and onto the second core shaft; and winding the advancing web upon the second core shaft while maintaining the circumferential surface portions of the resulting developing roll in engagement with the drum until the developing roll reaches a desired size.

24. A process according to claim 23, wherein the step of shifting the vacuum includes moving the first core shaft and its developed roll out of engagement with the drum surface.

25. A process according to claim 24, which includes braking the rotational movement of the first core after movement from engagement until the drum surface, removing the first core shaft and roll, and placing a third core shaft in the means for positioning so that as the second roll is being wound, the third core is in position to start winding a third roll upon completion of the winding of the second roll.