U.S. patent application number 10/245837 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-03 for apparatus and method especially for holding a separate piece to be attached to a unit load.
This patent application is currently assigned to PESMEL OY. Invention is credited to Maki-Rahkola, Jari.
Application Number | 20030061788 10/245837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8561899 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030061788 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maki-Rahkola, Jari |
April 3, 2003 |
Apparatus and method especially for holding a separate piece to be
attached to a unit load
Abstract
Method for holding in its place a separate piece placed against
a side surface of a basic piece, wherein an air jet is directed to
the separate piece and under this influence the separate piece is
pressed against the end. Means for producing the air jets are
placed for example in a stationary position or the basic piece is
conveyed by a transfer carriage to which the means for producing
the air jets are placed and arranged to hold at least one separate
piece in its place. Alternatively, the basic piece is transferred
by means of a conveyor or a transfer carriage and the means for
producing the air jets are placed along this route in a stationary
position and are arranged to hold in its place at least one
separate piece that moves along the basic piece.
Inventors: |
Maki-Rahkola, Jari;
(Kauhajoki, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Assignee: |
PESMEL OY
|
Family ID: |
8561899 |
Appl. No.: |
10/245837 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/415 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 25/148
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/415 |
International
Class: |
B65B 061/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 17, 2001 |
FI |
20011821 |
Claims
1. A method for holding in its place a separate piece placed
against a side surface of a basic piece, wherein an air jet is
directed to the separate piece and under this influence the
separate piece is pressed against the side surface of the basic
piece, and remains in its place, and wherein said basic piece is at
the same time conveyed by an automatic transfer carriage to which
the means for producing the air jets are placed.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said separate piece is
also held by means of said same means during stretch film wrapping
of the basic piece, where it is transported by means of said
carriage, and said basic piece is at the same time rotated around
its horizontal longitudinal axis.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said basic piece is a
paper roll and said separate piece is an end protector of the paper
roll or a label to be attached to the paper roll.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said basic piece is a
paper roll and said separate piece is an end protector of the paper
roll or a label to be attached to the paper roll.
5. A method for holding in its place a separate piece placed
against a side surface of a basic piece, wherein an air jet is
directed to the separate piece and under this influence the
separate piece is pressed against the side surface of the basic
piece, and remains in its place, and wherein said basic piece is at
the same time transferred by means of a conveyor or an automatic
transfer carriage that is followed by another conveyor or automatic
transfer carriage, in which the means for producing air jets are
placed.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said separate piece is
held by means of said means also during stretch film wrapping of
the basic piece, where it is transported by means of said conveyor
or said carriage, and said basic piece is at the same time rotated
around its horizontal longitudinal axis.
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said basic piece is
conveyed in a direction parallel to its longitudinal direction or
in a direction transverse to its longitudinal direction.
8. The method according to claim 5, wherein said basic piece is a
paper roll and said separate piece is an end protector of the paper
roll or a label to be attached to the paper roll.
9. A method for holding in its place a separate piece placed
against a side surface of a basic piece, wherein an air jet is
directed to the separate piece and under this influence the
separate piece is pressed against the side surface of the basic
piece and remains in its place, and wherein said basic piece is at
the same time conveyed by means of a conveyor or transfer carriage
along whose path the means for producing the air jets are placed in
a stationary position and arranged to hold said separate piece in
its place, said separate piece moving along with the basic
piece.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein several air jets are
placed along said route within a distance from each other, wherein
they are directed to opposite directions in relation to each other
in such a manner that one said separate piece can be held against
one side surface of the basic piece or two said separate pieces can
be held against the opposite side surfaces of the basic piece.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first air jets
directed to the same direction are all placed on substantially the
same first line that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal
direction as well as the travel direction of said basic piece in
such a manner that said side surface is located transversely in
relation to said longitudinal direction and travels either in front
of said basic piece or after the same, and wherein the second air
jets directed to the opposite direction are all placed on the same
second line that is located within a distance from the first line,
wherein said air jets hold one separate piece in its place,
irrespective of the fact whether said separate piece is located in
the front of or behind said basic piece.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein said separate piece is
placed manually or automatically to a side surface of the basic
piece, said separate piece being equal or smaller in size than said
side surface.
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said separate piece
is placed manually or automatically to a side surface of the basic
piece, said separate piece being equal or smaller in size than said
side surface.
14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said air jets are
directed in such a manner that said basic piece during its movement
at the same time covers the first air jet, thus preventing the
access of the same to said side surface that moves towards the
second air jet, thereby allowing a less obstructed access of the
second air jet to said side surface.
15. The method according to claim 11, wherein said air jets are
directed in such a manner that said basic piece during its movement
at the same time covers the second air jet, thus preventing the
access of the same to said side surface that moves away from the
first air jet, thereby allowing a less obstructed access of the
second air jet to said side surface.
16. The method according to claim 9, wherein said air jets are used
that are directed obliquely towards said side surface.
17. The method according to claim 10, wherein said air jets are
used that are directed obliquely towards said side surface.
18. The method according to claim 11, wherein said air jets are
used that are directed obliquely towards said side surface.
19. The method according to claim 9, wherein the basic piece is a
unit load composed especially of a cylindrical roll made of a
continuous web, that is suitably made of paper material.
20. The method according to claim 9, wherein said basic piece is a
paper roll and said separate piece is an end protector of the paper
roll or a label to be attached to the paper roll.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for holding in its
place a separate piece placed against the side surface of a basic
piece.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] According to prior art for example substantially cylindrical
pieces, especially rolls in which different paper grades have been
wound as a continuous web, are wrapped into a transparent stretch
film. The purpose of the wrapping is to protect the piece from
external mechanical effects, from the dirt in the environment as
well as from other impurities and moisture. The material wound on
the roll is for example printing paper, copying paper or soft
tissue.
[0003] The stretch film is typically an elastic, transparent film
made of plastic material that is wrapped around the outer shell of
a piece and typically around the end surfaces of the same as well.
For the purpose of wrapping the shell, there are radial wrapping
apparatuses in use, in which a horizontal piece is rotated around a
longitudinal axis, for example by means of rotating rolls or a
cradle formed on a belt. The film roll is typically transferred in
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piece, so that the entire
shell surface would be covered. The tight film also stretches on
top of the end, which is thus at least partly protected. There are
known axial wrapping apparatuses or circumferential wrapping
apparatuses for wrapping of shell and end surfaces, in which
apparatuses the film roll orbits the piece typically at the same
height with the horizontal longitudinal axis of the piece, and at
the same time the piece is rotated around the longitudinal axis.
The piece may contain both axial and radial layers, between which
protective layers made for example of bubble wrap, have possibly
been placed.
[0004] The piece is conveyed or transferred to the wrapping
apparatuses by means of different kinds of conveyors or automatic
transfer carriages. The conveyors include for example different
belt, roll or slat conveyors, on top of which the roll rests and is
supported thereto from one or more points. The roll can be conveyed
both in the longitudinal direction and transversely. A section of
the conveyor can also be placed in a transfer carriage that conveys
the roll. The transfer carriage can also contain a lifting table,
on the support of which the piece rests, and thus especially a roll
can be easily lowered on the support of said rotating rolls, or
lifted up from the same after the wrapping is finished.
[0005] Especially rolls containing different kinds of paper grades,
even sensitive paper grades, are equipped with different kinds of
end protectors and labels, the purpose of which is to protect the
roll even more for example from different kinds of mechanical
effects that also occur during the wrapping and by the influence of
the wrapping film. Protection from light is also possible by means
of a transparent protector. Typically the protector has a round
shape, and its diameter is equal or smaller in size than the reel.
The protectors are for example made of more rigid and stronger
paper grades, such as cardboard or paperboard. The protectors often
also contain variable information relating to the product that can
be read from underneath the transparent film layer.
[0006] The attachment of the protectors is, however, problematic,
because the adhesion of the same must be secured by means of
adhesives or different kinds of adhesive tapes. Especially
adhesives dirty the end of the roll, and at the same time the edge
of the material can become dirty throughout the entire length of
the web. Mechanical attachment, on the other hand, breaks and tears
the material in the roll.
[0007] The protector can also be attached on top of one or more
wrapping film layers, whereafter it is possible to continue the
wrapping process. In this case the disadvantage that occurs is that
the wrapping process is interrupted, which decelerates and disturbs
especially continuous automatic production. In addition, it is
necessary to install robots or devices that take care of the
automatic placement and attachment of the protectors.
[0008] The protector can, of course, be attached to the piece only
after the wrapping, but in such a situation it will not protect the
piece from the mechanical effects caused by the wrapping film and
the wrapping process. The protector attached on the film layers is
more easily detached during transport and handling, wherein it must
be attached in a more durable and reliable manner. Thus the amount
of work is increased, larger amounts of adhesives must be used, or
the adhesives must be more effective. Large amounts of adhesives
are also a problem in view of work safety. If the protector is
detached, the information contained therein is also lost.
[0009] It is a purpose of the present invention to eliminate the
aforementioned problems and to introduce a new method for holding
the protectors in their place so that the protectors could be
attached to the piece as early as possible and in such a manner
that the piece is not damaged. Thus, it is possible to protect for
example the ends of a roll also during transport and transfers,
which enables the use of the protectors also as temporary
protectors, because as a result of the invention both manual and
mechanical placement and detachment can be conducted quite easily
and rapidly, without interfering with the rest of the process. The
components necessary in the invention are known and easily
available.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0010] A central principle of the invention is the use of air jets
for holding end labels, protectors or the like in their place
against the ends of rolls or other pieces to be wrapped. Air jets
are used both during the transfers of the piece as well as during
wrapping.
[0011] The apparatus according to the invention can be easily and
rapidly constructed to handle varying situations, because in a
factory environment pressurized air is readily available. The act
of installing and directing the nozzles used for the production of
air jets is a simple and rapid process that can be easily tested by
means of practical experiments.
[0012] By means of a special embodiment of the invention it is
possible to hold the end labels of moving rolls even though the air
nozzles are installed in a stationary position.
[0013] By means of the invention it is possible to avoid the use of
different attachment and gluing methods, and especially the use of
adhesives. It is not necessary to interrupt the wrapping process,
and the end label also protects the roll when the wrapping is
started and before the wrapping process. By applying different
kinds methods for installing the water jests, it is possible to
hold the protector when the roll is placed on a conveyor or a
transfer carriage, when the roll is transferred to a wrapping
apparatus, when it moves from conveyors to a wrapping apparatus and
when the rotation of the same begins to start the wrapping
process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] In the following description the invention will be described
in more detail, using as an example a roll that constitutes the
basic piece and the unit load, and a protector mounted thereon. At
the same time reference is made to the following drawings, in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows in a reduced end-view the act of applying the
apparatus according to the invention in connection with rotating a
roll,
[0016] FIG. 2 shows in a reduced top-view the act of applying the
apparatus according to the invention in connection with a transfer
carriage that conveys the roll,
[0017] FIG. 3 shows in a reduced side-view the act of applying the
apparatus according to the invention in connection with a conveyor
that transfers the roll, and
[0018] FIG. 4 shows the apparatus according to FIG. 3 in a
top-view.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a reduced principle view of the invention, in
which only the essential aspects of the different structures have
been shown. The technique used for the transfer and rotation of the
roll is known as such, and thus the operation of the same will not
be discussed in more detail in this context. A paper roll 1 is used
as an example. The roll 1 is rotated around its longitudinal axis
by means of two rotating rollers 2a, 2b. The rollers 2a, 2b are
rotated by motor means around axes of rotation that are parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the roll 1. The rotating apparatus is
known as such and comprises for example the necessary frame
structure. A continuous belt can also be passed via the rollers 2a,
2b that are typically longer than the roll 1, wherein the roll 1
rests on the support of the belt, and smaller surface pressures are
attained.
[0020] Against the end of the roll 1 an end protector 3 has been
placed for example manually or automatically by means of an
apparatus, said end protector covering the end of the roll 1 either
entirely or partly. The diameter of the end protector 3 is
preferably equal or smaller in size than the diameter of the roll
1, wherein opposite air jets do not hit the protector 3 that
extends over the edge of the roll 1.
[0021] The protector 3 is held against the roll 1 by means of the
force effect exerted by the pressure of the air jets on the
protector 3. The air jets are produced by means of air nozzles 4a
to 4c, known as such, that are attached to a pneumatic hose or pipe
5 for example by means of the frame part. FIG. 3 shows air jets
12a, 12b by way of example. The number of nozzles can vary in
different embodiments, so that a sufficient force effect is
attained, preferably throughout the protector 3. Preferably, the
air jets of the nozzles 4a to 4c are directed perpendicularly or
obliquely towards the protector 3. By means of the oblique
orientation it is possible to control it better in which direction
the air jet exits along the protector 3. The friction between the
roll 1 and the protector 3 for its part helps to keep the protector
3 in its place, even if the jet would be obliquely orientated. The
aim is to direct each air jet in such a manner that it does not
interfere with another air jet or reverse its force effect. The
pressurized air supplied to the pipework 5 is controlled with
pneumatic means 6 that typically comprise a pressure source, a
valve system and control electronics, if necessary. By means of the
valve system it is possible to control the air supply of the nozzle
group 4a to 4c. The frame part can also be a valve that is
controlled electrically or mechanically to an opened and closed
position, wherein it is possible to control the air supply of an
individual nozzle 4a, 4b or 4c. If the consumption of pressurized
air is to be reduced, the roll 1 can during its movement switch on
one or several nozzles, wherein different kinds of switches and
responses are used that are placed to a suitable location. The
control system of the conveying or wrapping apparatus can control
and time the function of the nozzles. The necessary configuration
varies, but on the basis of this description the selection of
components, as well as the assembly and installation of the system
is obvious for anyone skilled in the art.
[0022] The apparatus 1 used in FIG. 1 can be applied in connection
with radial wrapping, axial wrapping and circumferential wrapping,
as long as the nozzles 4a to 4c are located outside the travel path
of the devices included in the wrapping apparatus. In FIG. 1 the
nozzles 4a to 4c are fixed to a stationary position, for example to
the frame of the rotating apparatus or wrapping apparatus. By
adding extra air nozzles it is also possible to hold the protectors
3 when the roll 1 is transferred from the conveyor on top of the
rolls 2a, 2b. If necessary, there are additional mechanical springs
or supports that make sure that the protector remains in its
place.
[0023] In FIG. 2 the air nozzles 4d to 4g are attached to an
automatic transfer carriage 7 that has a power source of its own
for the movement. The roll 1 is conveyed in the carriage 7 in a
horizontal position, and the end protector 3 placed against each
end is held in its place by means of air jets. The necessary
pipeworks 5 and pneumatic means 6 can be placed in the transfer
carriage 7. The nozzles 4d to 4g are located inside the structures
of the carriage 7, on top of the carriage 7 on the level of the
reel 1, or in both of these, depending on the directions in which
the roll is removed from the carriage. The carriage 7 contains for
example a lifting table by means of which the roll 1 is lowered on
the rollers 2a, 2b of FIG. 1, when the carriage 7 is located
therebetween. The roll 1 can also be rolled sideways away from the
carriage 7. It is, of course, possible to consider that the nozzles
4d to 4g are attached to another moving carriage or for example to
a conveyor above the same that follows the carriage 7. Said
embodiment is only suitable for special cases, because the
installation of an extra conveyor will cause costs. Similarly, it
is possible to monitor the roll 1 moving on different conveyors.
The roll 1 can thus be moved both in the longitudinal direction and
sideways.
[0024] In FIG. 3 a series of air nozzles 4h to 4o are attached to a
fixed stationary position, wherein it is possible to hold the roll
1 transferred on a conveyor 8 or in a transfer carriage according
to FIG. 2. The attachment is made to the roof structures, stands or
other available support and frame structures. Preferably, the
transfer takes place in the longitudinal direction and the nozzles
4h to 4k are directed towards the direction of motion, if the
protecting label 3a positioned in the front end is being held.
Furthermore, the nozzles 41 to 4o are directed towards the
direction of motion, if the protector label 3b placed at the rear
end is being held. FIG. 3 shows only four air nozzles, but their
distance from each other can vary, and they have been placed along
the entire transfer path. The principle is that all the time a
sufficient number of air jets hit the protector label 3, even if
the roll 1 would cover some of the jets. The roll covers the
oppositely directed jets, which thus do not interfere with the
function of the other jets. The optimal placement is discovered for
example by means of experiments, and there may be several nozzles
at the same point. The nozzle that blows to the opposite direction,
for example air nozzle 4i does not detach the end label 3b, because
the roll 1 protects the label 3b and directs the air current away,
and because the edge of the label 3b does not extend over the edge
of the roll 1. The air nozzles are connected to each other by means
of a pipework 5 and pneumatic means 6, and there may be several of
them. It is also possible to embed air nozzles in the conveyor 8 or
below the floor level in accordance with the nozzles 9a, 9b shown
in the drawing (with broken lines), which provides an alternative
way of placing the nozzles 4h to 4o or the additional nozzles.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows in more detail the placement of the air nozzles
4h to 4k and 4l to 4o in the embodiment according to FIG. 3, and
seen from above. In order that the jets to different directions
would interfere with each other as little as possible, they are
placed in different lines 10a and 10b that are directed in parallel
to the travel direction of the roll 1. The air nozzles are directed
substantially in parallel with the lines. It is possible to
interlock several lines in a manner similar to the additional lines
11a, 11b (shown with a broken line), wherein it is possible to
increase the force effect or an air jet can be directed throughout
a wide protector 3 as well. The air nozzles or additional nozzles
can be placed in accordance with the nozzles 9a, 9b of FIG. 3.
[0026] The invention can also be applied in connection with other
pieces on the basis of the examples above. Said basic pieces can be
unit loads, for example cubical pallet loads that are transported
and wrapped, if necessary, wherein they are possibly rotated around
a vertical axis of rotation. Generally, a continuous surface or a
surface of with another kind of shape is required, against which
the protector is held in its place. The protector can be supported
from its lower part against a carriage or a conveyor, but
preferably it is supported entirely on the support of air jets,
wherein the lower part does not stick anywhere.
[0027] The surface is not necessarily the end of the piece, but for
example a vertical or curved side surface, from which the label or
protector easily falls off under the effect of gravity. The
straight end surface or curved shell of the roll both constitute
said side surfaces. The purpose of the protector is merely to
transmit information, wherein by means of the air jet according to
the invention it is also possible to hold such labels in their
place that are especially left underneath wrapping films at
different stages of the handling and packing of the piece.
Generally, the method is suitable for holding different kinds of
separate pieces in their place against a basic piece, wherein the
separate piece is especially a coated piece or label made of
different paper grades, paperboard, cardboard or plastic.
[0028] The invention is not restricted solely to the
above-presented preferred embodiments, but it can be modified
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *