U.S. patent application number 10/041944 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-29 for apparatus and method for severing or separating a web.
Invention is credited to Gary, Walt, Gilmore, William H., Gingras, Brian J..
Application Number | 20020117575 10/041944 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34572559 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020117575 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gilmore, William H. ; et
al. |
August 29, 2002 |
Apparatus and method for severing or separating a web
Abstract
An apparatus, system and method are disclosed for separating
and/or winding a web. A web is adhered by vacuum force to a
rotating transfer roll. A turret is provided that is capable of
indexing about a longitudinal axis, the turret having a plurality
of mandrels rotatably affixed to the turret. A web passes to the
transfer roll and to winding position of the turret. A severing
means, such as an air knife, water knife, interference device, or
severing roll is configured to separate the web. The web may be
synthetic, textile, or paper. The web may be perforated at periodic
intervals so that the web sections may be separated at pre-existing
perforations and then wound upon mandrels of the turret in a
continuous operation.
Inventors: |
Gilmore, William H.;
(Neenah, WI) ; Gingras, Brian J.; (Appleton,
WI) ; Gary, Walt; (Crystal Lake, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John E. Vick, Jr.
Dority & Manning, Attorneys at Law, P.A.
P.O. Box 1449
Greenville
SC
29602
US
|
Family ID: |
34572559 |
Appl. No.: |
10/041944 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60243983 |
Oct 27, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/526 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/12112
20130101; B65H 19/26 20130101; B65H 2301/51533 20130101; B65H
2301/51534 20130101; B65H 2301/515123 20130101; B65H 2555/24
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/526 |
International
Class: |
B65H 035/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for severing a web, comprising: a rotating transfer
roll, the rotating transfer roll being configured to carry a web on
its exterior surface; and a severing means, the severing means
being configured to engage and separate the web into an upstream
portion and a downstream portion.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the severing means comprises
an air knife.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the severing means comprises a
water knife.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the severing means comprises
an interference device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the severing means comprises a
severing roll.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: a servo motor
to direct the movement of the severing means in separating the
web.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the transfer roll is
configured to employ a suction force, thereby adhering the web to
its exterior surface.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which a transfer pad is employed to
apply the suction force to the web.
9. An apparatus for severing a web, comprising: a rotating transfer
roll, the rotating transfer roll being configured to carry a web on
its exterior surface, the rotating transfer roll having on its
exterior surface a transfer pad, the transfer pad being adapted for
applying a releasable suction force to releasably adhere the web to
the transfer roll; and a severing device, the severing device being
configured to separate the web into portions.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 additionally comprising: a channel
upon the exterior surface of the rotating transfer roll, the
channel being configured to receive at least one component of the
severing device in separating the web.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the severing device is
adapted to sever the web at a pre-existing perforation.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 additionally comprising: a servo motor
configured to control movement of the severing device.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the transfer pad is
positioned along the width of the transfer roll to engage the web
in its cross direction.
14. An apparatus for separating a web, comprising: a rotating
transfer roll, the rotating transfer roll being configured to carry
a web on its exterior surface, the rotating transfer roll having on
its exterior surface a transfer pad, the transfer pad being adapted
for applying a suction force to releasably adhere the web to the
transfer roll; and a severing roll, the severing roll being
configured to separate the web into portions.
15. A method of separating a web, the method comprising: (a)
providing a web, (b) rotating a transfer roll, (c) adhering the web
to the surface of the transfer roll using a suction force, (d)
providing a severing device, the severing device being selected
from the group of devices comprising: air knife, water knife,
interference device, and severing roll, and (e) separating the
web.
16. The method of claim 15 further wherein step (e) additionally
comprises: engaging the transfer roll with at least one component
of the severing device in separating the web.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of: (f)
releasing the web.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the releasing step (f) is
accomplished by removing the suction force from the web.
19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: (g)
winding the web into a roll.
20. The method of claim 15 in which the severing device is a water
knife.
21. The method of claim 15 in which the severing device is an air
knife.
22. The method of claim 15 in which the severing device is an
interference device.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from previously filed
Provisional Application No. 60/243,983 which was filed in the
United States on Oct. 27, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Products formed from webs, such as tissues, paper towels,
and the like typically are wound upon large supply rolls after
manufacture of the paper stock. To prepare such rolled products for
consumer use, the paper must be rewound into smaller sized rolls,
placed upon cores, and cut, to provide an appropriate sized
individual paper product for use.
[0003] In conventional systems, a core is placed upon a mandrel
that is capable of spinning. Thus, rotation of the mandrel in
conjunction with the core may wind the paper upon the core.
Techniques for using mandrels for winding paper are known in the
art. For example, a turret style winding system is a known method
used to wind paper onto a core. Most turret systems include a
number of mandrels that each is capable of spinning independently
of each other so that multiple paper logs may be formed
simultaneously. Then, the logs may be cut into smaller rolls in a
later step. The cored rolls then are removed from the mandrel.
[0004] Some current continuous center-winding systems provide a web
that is cut by engaging a web cut-off knife from a rotating
bedroll. In many such systems, the engaging mechanism actually
rotates with the roll, and is mounted inside or upon the roll. The
timing and engagement of the knife in current continuous
center-winding systems may be adversely affected by increasing
centrifugal forces placed upon the mechanism by high rotational
speeds of the bedroll.
[0005] As manufacturing line-processing speeds continually
increase, the adverse affect of increased centrifugal forces upon
rotating knife engaging mechanisms has become a significant
challenge. The timing, set-up and engagement of such mechanisms are
undesirably affected by centrifugal forces upon the relatively
delicate mechanical apparatus. Movement of these mechanisms
sometimes adversely affects the rotational balance of the bedroll,
which may induce undesirable vibration into the winder. This may
cause perforations in the tissue to be incorrectly applied or
uneven, and may undesirably increase equipment wear.
[0006] A need exists for an improved separating apparatus, system,
and method for separating webs. Further, a system that is capable
of transferring the separated web portions to cores at higher line
speeds would be desirable. Further, a severing or separating
mechanism that is not adversely affected or rendered inoperable by
centrifugal forces acting upon the bedroll would be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides an improved severing apparatus and
process for separating or severing running webs. The invention may
provide for the separation of the web into an upstream portion and
a downstream portion. Subsequently, the downstream portion of the
web may be wound into a roll. The invention is not limited to paper
webs, but may be employed with essentially any web or sheet
material that is to be cut to length in the process of manufacture
or rolling. Thus, the web may comprise textiles, fabrics, nonwoven
materials, paper, fibrous based web, and others. The invention is
particularly useful for applications that include winding a web or
sheet material into rolls at high processing speeds.
[0008] The invention may include a rotating transfer roll. In some
embodiments, the rotating transfer roll may be configured to carry
a web on its exterior surface, the rotating transfer roll
optionally including a transfer pad. A transfer pad may be adapted
for applying a releasable suction force to adhere the web to the
transfer roll. A severing device also is provided. The severing
device is configured to separate the web into portions. In one
aspect of the invention, a severing roll is employed instead of the
severing device. The severing roll, when it is used, is configured
to separate the web into portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A full and enabling disclosure of this invention, including
the best mode shown to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set
forth in this specification. The following Figures illustrate the
invention:
[0010] FIG. 1 reveals a configuration of the invention with a
severing device located in close proximity to a vacuum assisted
transfer roll;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 a
short time after the time shown in FIG. 1, in which the transfer
pad causes the web to contact the core, and the vacuum source may
no longer be applied; and
[0012] FIG. 3 shows an alternate configuration of the invention
with a severing roll located in close proximity to a vacuum
assisted transfer roll.
[0013] Repeated use of reference characters in the present
specification and drawings is intended to represent same or
analogous features or elements of various embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Reference now will be made to the embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each
example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not as
a limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations
can be made in this invention without departing from the scope or
spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or
described as part of one embodiment can be used on another
embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention cover such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the
present invention are disclosed in or are obvious from the
following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a
description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as
limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which
broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions.
[0015] The various embodiments of the invention may be
distinguished by several features. Several embodiments of the
invention are shown in the drawings, and other embodiments of the
invention not shown easily could be realized by persons of skill in
the art upon review of this specification. The invention is not
limited by the specific embodiments shown in the appended
drawings.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a
severing device 25 is adapted for engagement with a web 23 and
transfer roll 21. A vacuum space 22 may be located within the
transfer roll 21. Vacuum space 22 applies a low ambient pressure
condition or suction force that is communicated through transfer
pad 26, which may be partially embedded in transfer roll 21. The
transfer pad 26 and the vacuum insert 38 are perforated with vacuum
holes or slots (not shown), which are adapted for air circulation
that serves to pull the web 23 tightly against its surface.
Further, a vacuum insert 38 provides a suction force on the
trailing edge, pulling the web 23 against the surface.
[0017] The vacuum assisted transfer roll 21 transports the leading
edge of the web 23 in a rotational path, as shown in the FIG. 1.
The severing device 25 may be adapted to separate the web 23 into
sections or portions as further discussed below. In one embodiment,
the severing device 25 separates the web 23 into a downstream
portion 42 and an upstream portion 43 (see FIG. 2). This separation
may be a complete cut, in the case of a web 23 that is not
perforated, or can be simply a separation of a web 23 at an
existing perforation, such as perforation 24. The perforations such
as perforation 24 typically run along the cross direction of the
web 23, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.
[0018] In the practice of the invention, the leading edge of the
web 23 approaches the cored mandrel 28 as the web 23 travels in a
circular fashion around the outer edge of the transfer roll 21.
Cored mandrel 28 is shown in FIG. 1 ready to receive web 23, and
may have adhesive that has been deposited upon its surface to
adhere the leading edge of the web 23 to the surface of the cored
mandrel 28 once the cored mandrel 28 has been rotated into position
to receive the web 23. In other embodiments, vacuum suction forces
may hold the tail of the web 23 upon the cored mandrel 28 until the
web 23 has begun winding. The latter method sometimes does not need
adhesive at all.
[0019] The severing device 25 may be comprised of a high-speed air
knife, a high-speed water knife, a cut-off knife, or an
interference device, as examples.
[0020] In some embodiments of the invention, a servo motor may
control the motion of severing device 25.
[0021] The severing device 25 may be fixed in a non-rotating
position in close proximity to the rotating transfer roll 21. The
severing device 25 may send a component (not shown, such as a
blade) or a high speed water stream (in the case of a water knife,
for example), or a high speed air stream (in the case of an air
knife, for example) into channel 27 to sever the web 23. Then, the
transfer pad 38 causes the web 23 to contact and adhere to the
cored mandrel 28. The vacuum source can be disengaged or turned off
as shown in FIG. 2 to facilitate release and winding of the
downstream portion 42 of the web 23.
[0022] Turret 36 is shown with a central axis 35. Many turret
assemblies known in the art are suitable for use in connection with
the present invention. Examples of various turret assemblies that
may be used in the present invention include, but are not limited
to, the turret assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,133,495 to
Dowd; 5,337,968 to De Bin et al.; and 5,797,559 to Coffey.
[0023] In general, the motion of the cored mandrel 28 from the
pre-spin position (see cored mandrel 29) to the transfer position
(see winding roll 32) must be completed during the transfer roll
revolution so that the web 28 which is carried upon the surface of
the transfer pad 26 does not contact the incoming cored mandrel 28
prematurely. A complete roll 33 is shown at the next successive
mandrel position. Mandrel 30 and mandrel 31 are shown at the next
successive positions.
[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
rotating severing roll 40 to separate the paper web into sections
at periodic intervals. FIG. 3 shows like components having the same
numerals as shown in FIGS. 1-2. However, in the embodiment of the
invention as shown in FIG. 3, a rotating severing roll 40 is
provided. The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 differs
from that shown in FIGS. 1-2. The severing roll 40 rotates, and is
timed to sever the web 23 at precisely the correct moment to create
a downstream portion of web 23 of appropriate length for winding on
winding roll 32.
[0025] The timing between the transfer roll 21, the application of
the suction force or vacuum, the leading edge of the web 23, and
the mandrels of turret 36 may be monitored and controlled by an
electronic position sensing and control system. Such a system is
generally known to persons of skill in the art. Further, the timing
of the vacuum onset and vacuum release may be adjusted relative to
the position of the transfer roll 21 by moving a vacuum shoe (not
shown) which is provided at the transfer roll 21.
[0026] It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that
the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments
only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the
present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the
exemplary constructions. The invention is shown by example in the
appended claims.
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