U.S. patent application number 09/989262 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-23 for unit for transferring groups of rolls to be wrapped within a film, from an intermediate station to subsequent stations.
Invention is credited to Gamberini, Gianluigi.
Application Number | 20020059779 09/989262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11438878 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020059779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gamberini, Gianluigi |
May 23, 2002 |
Unit for transferring groups of rolls to be wrapped within a film,
from an intermediate station to subsequent stations
Abstract
A unit is provided for transferring groups of rolls to be
wrapped within a packaging film, from an intermediate station to
subsequent stations. Pusher means are operated in time relation
with the positioning of an ensemble formed by a group of rolls
partially wrapped with the film in the intermediate station, so
that the ensemble is pushed laterally and conveyed toward an outlet
side of the intermediate station. A conveyor, having a horizontal
active run coplanar with a surface for supporting the ensemble, is
situated after the outlet of the intermediate station. The
horizontal active run is operated in time relation with operation
of the pusher, to move the ensemble from the intermediate station
toward subsequent stations.
Inventors: |
Gamberini, Gianluigi;
(Bologna, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William J. Sapone, Esq.
Coleman Sudol Supone
714 Colorado Avenue
Bridgeport
CT
06605-1601
US
|
Family ID: |
11438878 |
Appl. No.: |
09/989262 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 25/146 20130101;
B65B 11/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/228 |
International
Class: |
B65B 011/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 23, 2000 |
IT |
B02000A 000688 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A unit for transferring groups of rolls to be wrapped within a
film, from an intermediate station to subsequent stations,
including means for feeding said intermediate station with groups
of rolls, partially wrapped with a film so that longitudinal edges
of the film are overlapped, said intermediate station being defined
by: first horizontal means supporting an ensemble formed by the
group and the film; second horizontal means situated above said
first supporting means for constraining said ensemble supported by
said first supporting means; third vertical means, for constraining
said ensemble laterally; an outlet side, for allowing said ensemble
to exit said intermediate station; said unit further including:
pusher means operated when said ensemble is located in said
intermediate station, so as to cause said third means to strike
laterally said ensemble and to convey it toward the outlet of said
intermediate station; at least one first conveyor; one horizontal
active run of said first conveyor, coplanar with said first
supporting means and situated after said outlet of said
intermediate station, said horizontal active run being operated in
time relation with said pusher means and with speed correlated with
the speed of said pusher means; said active run being aimed at
receiving said ensemble, pushed out from said intermediate station
by said pusher means, and sending said ensemble toward subsequent
stations.
2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said active run is
operated stepwise, with a step extending in accordance with the
dimension of said ensemble measured in the direction of forward
movement of said active run.
3. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said active run is
operated continuously.
4. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second stop means
extend along said active run, covering at least an initial part
thereof.
5. A unit as claimed in claim 1, further including a second
conveyor, equipped with at least one lower run, situated above and
parallel to said active run, operated in a direction and with a
speed correlated with the direction and the speed of said active
run, said lower run being provided for constraining an upper part
of said ensemble to send said ensemble, in cooperation with said
active run, toward said intermediate stations.
6. A unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the speed of said active
run and the speed of the lower run are identical.
7. A unit as claimed in claim 5, further including means for
adjusting a mutual distance between said active run and said lower
run in relation to the height of said ensemble.
8. A unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein said active run is kept
stationary.
9. A unit as claimed in claim 1, further including at least one
third and one fourth conveyor, with said third and fourth conveyors
having related facing inner runs, said vertical facing inner runs
being operated synchronously in a same direction coinciding with
the direction of said active run and with a speed correlated with
the speed of said active run, said facing inner runs being aimed at
constraining opposite heads of said ensemble while sending said
ensemble toward said intermediate stations, in cooperation with
said active run.
10. A unit as claimed in claim 9, further including means for
adjusting the mutual distance between said facing inner runs in
relation to the length of said group of rolls.
11. A unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the speed of said facing
inner runs is equal to the speed of said active run.
12. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said active run includes
at least one endless belt conveyor.
13. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said active run includes
at least two endless belts, arranged side by side.
14. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said active run includes
a plurality of strip-like endless belts arranged side by side.
15. A unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second conveyor
includes at least one endless belt.
16. A unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second conveyor
includes at least two endless belts, arranged side by side.
17. A unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second conveyor
includes a plurality of strip-like endless belts arranged side by
side.
18. A unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein each conveyor of said
third and fourth conveyors includes at least one endless belt.
19. A unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein each conveyor of said
third and fourth conveyors includes at least two endless belts,
arranged side by side.
20. A unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein each conveyor of said
third and fourth conveyors includes a plurality of strip-like
endless belts arranged side by side.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a system for dragging
groups of rolls of web material away from an intermediate station,
in which each group is wrapped laterally with a film, and for
moving the groups to subsequent stations, arranged in a line, in
which the wrapping of the film around the group is completed by
folding and heat-sealing the film.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Known packaging machines are aimed at arranging paper rolls
in groups of one or more layers, with each layer including rows of
rolls situated side by side, and with each row including one or
more rolls.
[0003] In case of two or more rolls, they are coaxial and disposed
end-to-end.
[0004] Then, the packaging machines wrap each group within a film,
or a sheet of material which stabilizes the arrangement of the
group and encloses it with in a tight seal, so as to protect it
during its piling, transporting to the shop and during the
transport to the user's local.
[0005] In order to perform the above mentioned operations, the
packaging machines include:
[0006] a plurality of channels conveying the rolls toward a station
where the group of rolls is formed;
[0007] an elevator, running between vertical walls containing the
group laterally, and moving between two extreme positions: lowered,
in which the elevator defines the bottom of said group forming
station, and raised, in which the group is placed in an
intermediate station;
[0008] means for positioning a film transversely to the vertical
walls, so that the film, whose dimensions allow to wrap completely
the group, can be struck by the group of rolls carried by the
elevator during its upward stroke toward the raised position;
[0009] an abutment situated transversely, so as to act as a stop
for the group of rolls transferred to the intermediate station by
the elevator;
[0010] a pronged conveyor, which is operated stepwise, and whose
lower run is arranged transversely in a position in which it runs
through the intermediate station, the conveyor prongs defining a
series of seats, with the seats of the lower run receiving
respective groups of rolls, which are dragged thereby while resting
on a stationary running surface situated below; the conveyor is
operated in such a way as to locate one seat of the lower run in
the intermediate station;
[0011] transverse folding means, acting in the intermediate station
in step relation with the elevator downward stroke, to fold the
lower edges of the film inserting them under the group of rolls, to
wrap the group laterally;
[0012] other folding means and sealing means, connected to said
conveyor, for completing the wrapping of the portion of the film
around the group, more precisely, at the heads, and for stabilizing
the wrapping.
[0013] The conveyors used so far are complicated, require frequent
maintenance operations and long stops during size change operation,
mainly when group length is to be changed.
[0014] In fact, the conveyors are driven by four chains operated
synchronously and extending along relative vertical planes. The
chains are arranged in two sets, with the chains of one set
situated one beside another.
[0015] Extensions for pulling regularly spaced out carriages are
set in engagement with two chains of the two sets. The carriages
support stems, on which the dragging prongs are mounted.
[0016] Other extensions are set in engagement with the other two
chains of the second set for pulling regularly spaced out
carriages, which support stems, on which the dragging prongs are
mounted.
[0017] The carriages have opposite heads, equipped laterally with
ball bearings, which move in corresponding guides defining an
endless loop path.
[0018] The extensions for dragging the carriages are made integral
with the lower part of the carriages heads.
[0019] The dragging prongs are mounted on each carriage, suitably
spaced apart.
[0020] The number of dragging prongs on each carriage changes in
relation to the number of rolls to be packaged in each group.
[0021] Usually, in order to obtain a balanced situation while
dragging, at least a pair of prongs are necessary for each carriage
for groups made of e.g. two rolls, arranged side by side.
[0022] The change of the so-called size of a group of rolls can be
due to:
[0023] change of length, measured considering the overall dimension
of the rolls arranged end-to-end;
[0024] change of width, measured crosswise to the dimension
previously mentioned;
[0025] change of height.
[0026] When the packages size is to be changed because of the
change of length, usually it is necessary to substitute all the
carriages of the line with other carriages suitable for the new
production cycle.
[0027] In order to do so, it is necessary to remove a suitable
removable element of the guide, and to operate the chains stepwise
and with low speed, so as to release and remove, one by one, the
carriages to be substituted and mount the carriages adapted to the
new product dimensions.
[0028] The operations needed for size changeover require a lot of
time, as well as suitably trained personnel.
[0029] Moreover, it is necessary to store additional sets of
carriages in magazines, which results in bigger number of
mechanical parts and consequently, increases the costs and space
required for a magazine.
[0030] When the packages size is to be changed because of the
change of width, it is necessary to stop the conveyor and stagger
more or less one pair of chains with respect to the other until the
selected width of the seats receiving the packages, is
obtained.
[0031] It is also to be pointed out that there is an upper limit
for the width, which is defined by the length of the step between
two subsequent carriages mounted on the same pair of chains.
[0032] The distance between the lower run of the chains of the
conveyor and the motionless running plane defines an upper limit
for the packages height; actually, the upper stop is situated
underneath the chains.
[0033] The change of this just mentioned distance could cause
considerable constructive complications, such as the necessity to
adjust vertically the conveyor positioning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The object of the present invention is to propose a working
unit, which can receive groups wrapped laterally with a film and
situated in an intermediate station, and transfer them toward the
subsequent folding and sealing stations without the help of
dragging prongs and running surface, all independently from the
size of the groups of rolls being moved.
[0035] Another object of the present invention is to propose a
unit, in which size changeover operation is simple, rapid and does
not require the use of manpower.
[0036] A further object of the present invention is to propose a
unit which not only fulfills the above objects, but also increases
the production rate with respect to known machines.
[0037] A still further object of the invention is to obtain what
above without tearing and/or deforming the rolls forming groups,
nor the article wound in rolls.
[0038] The above mentioned objects are obtained, in accordance with
the contents of the claims, by means of a unit for transferring
groups of rolls to be wrapped within a film, from an intermediate
station to subsequent stations, including means for feeding said
intermediate station with groups of rolls, partially wrapped with a
film so that longitudinal edges of the film are overlapped, said
intermediate station being defined by:
[0039] first horizontal means supporting an ensemble formed by the
group and the film;
[0040] second horizontal means situated above said first supporting
means for constraining said ensemble supported by said first
supporting means;
[0041] third vertical means, for constraining said ensemble
laterally;
[0042] an outlet side, for allowing said ensemble to exit said
intermediate station;
[0043] said unit further including:
[0044] pusher means operated when said ensemble is located in said
intermediate station, so as to cause said third means to strike
laterally said ensemble and to convey it toward the outlet of said
intermediate station;
[0045] at least one first conveyor;
[0046] one horizontal active run of said first conveyor, coplanar
with said first supporting means and situated after said outlet of
said intermediate station, said horizontal active run being
operated in time relation with said pusher means and with speed
correlated with the speed of said pusher means;
[0047] said active run being aimed at receiving said ensemble,
pushed out from said intermediate station by said pusher means, and
sending said ensemble toward subsequent stations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] The characteristic features of the present invention will be
pointed out in the following description of a preferred, but not
unique embodiment, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in
which:
[0049] FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are schematic views of some operation
steps of a first embodiment of the proposed unit;
[0050] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0051] FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic, respectively front and top
views of a different embodiment of the proposed unit;
[0052] FIGS. 8, 9, 10 are schematic views of still different
embodiments of the proposed unit.
DETAILED DESCRITPION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, reference numeral 1
indicates an elevator moving vertically, in known and not shown
way, between a lowered position A and a raised position B.
[0054] The plate 1 in lowered position forms the bottom of a
station S, in which the groups P of rolls R (of e.g. paper) are
formed, arranged in one layer Si (FIGS. 1-4) or in more layers
(e.g. two layers S, S2: FIG. 8), with each layer including more
rows F of rolls R.
[0055] Each row includes one or more rolls and the rolls are
coaxial and arranged end-to-end.
[0056] The techniques for forming the group P are not described,
since well known to those skilled in the art.
[0057] The path covered by the elevator is delimited laterally by
two lower lateral guides 2A, 2B, facing each other and
perpendicular to the figure plane, and by two upper lateral guides
3A, 3B, facing each other, situated above the previous ones.
[0058] The distance between the lower lateral guides 2A, 2B and the
upper lateral guides 3A, 3B define a free space 4.
[0059] In the space 4, suitable means (not shown, as they are
known) dispose a film 6, or sheet, whose dimensions is sufficient
to wrap a group P, when the elevator 1 is in the lowered position A
and a group P of rolls is being formed.
[0060] Stationary vertical bars 7 are situated above the upper
outer lateral guide 3A (the one on the left with reference to the
Figures). The distance between the stationary vertical bars 7 and
the upper lateral guide 3A defines a free space, in which a first
transversal folding member 8A works in cooperation with a second
folding member 8B, facing the first one.
[0061] A transversal stop 9, whose height is adjustable in a known
and not shown way, is situated over the folding members.
[0062] The ensemble C, formed by the group P and the film 6,
strikes against the stop 9 when the elevator is in the raised
position B.
[0063] The stop 9 together with the elevator 1 in the raised
position B, the folding members 8A, 8B and the stationary vertical
bars 7, define an intermediate station W, in which the group P is
partially wrapped within the film 6, i.e. the station receiving the
ensemble C.
[0064] In the intermediate station W, pushing means 10 act
transversely (forward stroke in direction M1), when the elevator 1
reaches the raised position B, in order to push the side facing the
stationary bars 7 of the ensemble C lying on the elevator, so as to
send the group P and the film 6 toward at least one conveyor 50,
which will be described hereinbelow. The pushing means 10 are
preferably carried by operating endless means (not shown), which
set the pushing means to move along a horizontal movement passing
through the station W (position N1, N2 of FIGS. 1 and 4), a
vertical upward movement, during which the group P is released at
the end of the station W (position N3) and finally a return stroke,
in direction M2, e.g. again horizontal: position N4.
[0065] The conveyor 50, situated downstream of the station W with
respect to the forward direction M1, includes e.g. an endless belt
51, whose upper, or active, run 51A is coplanar with the upper
surface 1A of the elevator 1, when the latter is in the raised
position B (FIG. 3).
[0066] Instead of only one endless belt, two or more belts can be
used, arranged side by side, or a series of endless belts, arranged
side by side, so as to define an active run 51A parallel to the
direction M1.
[0067] Instead of only one endless belt 51, two or more endless
belts can be used, with the upper runs thereof arranged one after
another without any gap, to define the active run; also in this
case, those skilled in the art can use series of endless belts or
strip-like belts, arranged one after another.
[0068] The active run 51A is driven stepwise in the direction X,
parallel to the forward direction M1 of the pushers 10, with a
medium speed value linked to the speed of the pushers 10 during the
above forward stroke. Driving means for the endless belt 51 are
known to those skilled in the art, therefore, they have not been
illustrated.
[0069] In a known way, the group P of rolls R is formed on the
elevator 1 situated in the station S, and the film 6 is disposed
above and crosswise to the station, as known to those skilled in
the art (FIG. 1).
[0070] While the elevator 1 goes up, the group P strikes the film
6, which takes the shape of an overturned "U" around the group P,
due to the presence of the upper guides 3A, 3B; the folding members
8A, 8B are in open position (FIG. 2).
[0071] FIG. 3 shows the elevator in the raised position B, coplanar
with the active run 51A; in this position the group P together with
the film 6, i.e. the ensemble C, is gripped between the elevator 1
and the transversal stop 9, and, on its side opposite to the run
51A, the ensemble C strikes vertically against the stationary
vertical bars 7.
[0072] The definition of the configuration shown in FIG. 3 results
in the following operations, performed in reciprocal step
relation:
[0073] the pushers 10 goes in abutment on the ensemble C;
[0074] the folding members 8A, 8B move close to each other and
consequently, fold the longitudinal edges 6A, 6B, extending along
the group length, under the group and overlap them;
[0075] the elevator goes down;
[0076] the active run 51A translates in direction X with the speed
correlated with the speed of the pushers 10.
[0077] Consequently, the ensemble C is pushed by the pushers 10 in
direction M1, its upper part is constrained by the stop 9 and its
lower part is supported first by the elevator, then by the folding
members 8A, 8B and finally by the active run 51A.
[0078] Firstly, the active run 51A not only support the ensemble C
but also moves it together with the pushers 10. Then, the active
run 51A fully replaces the pushers 10 and moves the ensemble C
alone (FIGS. 4, 1, 2).
[0079] Advantageously, the transversal stop 9 extends above the
initial part of the run 51A.
[0080] The enclosed figures do not show, as they are known, means
for folding the film 6 against the heads of the group and for
stabilizing, by heat-welding, the flaps obtained by folding.
[0081] Means 20 for heat-welding the longitudinal, tucked in edges
6A, 6B have been shown only generically, since they are known.
According to the example shown in the enclosed Figures, after
having performed their action, the pushers 10 are raised, withdrawn
(positions N3, N4: FIG. 2) and lowered again (FIG. 3).
[0082] Those skilled in the art can use pushers operated in
different way (e.g. alternative), or technically equivalent means,
i.e. means fulfilling the same functions as the pushers.
[0083] As it has been already said, the average speed of the active
run 51A (direction X) is correlated with the speed of the pushers
10 (direction M1), and it can be equal thereto (in this case there
are no considerable longitudinal stresses, i.e. in direction X, to
the group), lower or higher, which results in adjustment of the
tensioning of the rolls of the group.
[0084] The depth dimension, i.e. the dimension perpendicular with
respect to the drawings, is at least equal to the maximum possible
length size of the group P: consequently, if the length of the
group changes, it is not necessary to adjust the proposed unit in
any way.
[0085] In other words, it is not necessary to adjust the proposed
unit because of the size change, due to the change of the groups
length.
[0086] The change of the group width (dimension measured along the
direction X) causes only the change of the step length, i.e. the
path covered by the active run 51A between two subsequent
stops.
[0087] The height of the transversal stop 9 must be adjusted when
the height of the group is changed.
[0088] According to FIGS. 1-4, the run 51A is driven stepwise: it
can be also driven continuously, which would cause spacing out of
the groups.
[0089] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the proposed solution.
According to this second embodiment, a second conveyor 150 (which
can be of any type, e.g. like the first conveyor 50), including an
endless belt 151, is situated above the first belt 51.
[0090] The lower run 151A of the second conveyor faces the active
run 51A and the speeds of the two runs are correlated with each
other, e.g. preferably the same.
[0091] Thus, the ensembles C are firmly kept between the above runs
51A, 151A, which makes the ensembles C stable and allows to adjust
the vertical pressure, the runs exert thereon.
[0092] According to another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
there are two more conveyors, third 350 and fourth 450,
respectively, which include respective vertical endless belts 351,
451.
[0093] The inner arms 351A, 451A of the third conveyor 350 and
fourth conveyor 450 face each other and touch the heads CA of each
ensemble C.
[0094] The speeds of the inner arms 351A, 451A are correlated with
each other (e.g. equal to each other) and with the speed of the
runs 51A, 151A, preferable equal thereto.
[0095] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 avoids shifts of the
group along its length direction and allows to adjust the pressure
on the ensemble C in the length direction.
[0096] When the groups P include more layers, arranged one over
another, e.g. two layers S1, S2 (FIG. 8), each of the third and
fourth conveyors 350, 450 can be formed by two separated conveyors,
arranged one above the other and acting on a corresponding layer
S1, S2 indicated with 550A, 550B in FIG. 8.
[0097] In FIG. 9, the group P, situated between two stops 95, 96,
is partially wrapped with the film 6, whose edges 6A, 6B are folded
under the group.
[0098] The group P--film 6 ensemble can be formed in any way,
different from the ones described above.
[0099] The pusher 10 pushes the ensemble downstream, where it is
taken over by at least one endless belt 51 (FIG. 9 re-proposes the
solution of FIG. 5).
[0100] According to the embodiment of FIG. 10, the stops 95, 96 are
substituted with horizontal runs of a pair of endless belts 195,
196.
[0101] The horizontal runs of the endless belts 195, 196 are
operated with the speed correlated with the speed of the pusher 10.
In this case, the overlapping longitudinal edges 6A, 6B are
arranged vertical, on the side of the group being pushed by the
pusher.
[0102] Consequently, in the intermediate station W, the group P is
partially wrapped with the film 6, which can be obtained by
technical-functional solution shown in FIGS. 1-5, or in any other
way as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0103] The concept of the proposed invention lies in the
combination of the pusher means 10 (or equivalent means, e.g. a
conveyor) situated in the station W and acting in reciprocal
combination with at least one endless belt 51, which receives the
group partially or totally wrapped within the film.
[0104] This allows to simplify the transferring of the groups from
the station W to the subsequent stations, in which the wrapping
with the film is completed, and allows to adjust the proposed unit
to the changed size in an easy, rapid and automatic way.
[0105] Actually, in order to perform the above operation, it is
enough to adjust the position of the transversal stop or the mutual
position of the axes of the shafts, about which the endless belts
turn; thus it is not necessary to substitute any parts, as it is
required in known machines.
[0106] The proposed unit allows to adjust the stresses on the
ensemble C, and subsequently, on the finished group; this avoids
lacerations and/or tears of the material wound in rolls as well as
of the wrapping film 6.
[0107] It is understood that what above, has been described as a
pure, unlimited example, therefore, possible variants of the
invention remain within the protective scope of the present
technical solution, as described above and claimed hereinafter.
* * * * *