U.S. patent application number 11/686041 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for reversible surface winder.
Invention is credited to Miroslav Planeta, Roy Rodetsky, Jozef Suhay.
Application Number | 20080223975 11/686041 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39758963 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080223975 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Planeta; Miroslav ; et
al. |
September 18, 2008 |
REVERSIBLE SURFACE WINDER
Abstract
Disclosed is a winder having: a drum about which a web passes in
use; a cutter which severs the web as it passes around the drum
into segments; a suction facility which draws air through a suction
portion of the drum such that, when severed, the trailing web
segment is carried by the suction portion to a release position; a
loader which, for each segment, receives a core at a starting
position whereat the core is rotated by contact with said drum and
whereat the core receives the leading edge of said trailing
segment, without fold-over, from said drum when the trailing
segment reaches the take-up position; a guide which receives the
core after the segment has started to wind thereupon; and a
transfer mechanism which receives the core from the guide and
supports same in driven contact with the drum as the segment is
wound the Disclosed is a winder having: a drum about which a web
passes in use; a cutter which severs the web as it passes around
the drum into segments; a suction facility which draws air through
a suction portion of the drum such that, when severed, the trailing
web segment is carried by the suction portion to a release
position; a loader which, for each segment, receives a core at a
starting position whereat the core is rotated by contact with said
drum and whereat the core receives the leading edge of said
trailing segment, without fold-over, from said drum when the
trailing segment reaches the take-up position; a guide which
receives the core after the segment has started to wind thereupon;
and a transfer mechanism which receives the core from the guide and
supports same in driven contact with the drum as the segment is
wound thereon.
Inventors: |
Planeta; Miroslav;
(Mississauga, CA) ; Suhay; Jozef; (Orangeville,
CA) ; Rodetsky; Roy; (Brampton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONLEY ROSE, P.C.;David A. Rose
P. O. BOX 3267
HOUSTON
TX
77253-3267
US
|
Family ID: |
39758963 |
Appl. No.: |
11/686041 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/525.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 19/2253 20130101;
B65H 19/305 20130101; B65H 2403/942 20130101; B65H 2408/236
20130101; B65H 2301/41892 20130101; B65H 2403/51 20130101; B65H
19/28 20130101; B65H 19/26 20130101; B65H 2408/238 20130101; B65H
2406/33 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/525.2 |
International
Class: |
B65H 35/06 20060101
B65H035/06 |
Claims
1. A winder for use with an advancing web and a supply of cores,
said winder comprising: a rotating drum around which said web
passes in use and including a suction portion; a cutter mechanism
adapted to sever said web, as it passes around said drum, into
segments to be wound around one each respective cores from the
supply; a suction facility adapted to draw air through the suction
portion of the drum such that, when the web is severed, the
trailing segment is carried by the suction portion of the drum to a
release position; a core loader which, for each segment, receives a
core from the supply at a starting position whereat the core is
rotated by operative driven contact with said drum and whereat the
core receives the leading edge of said trailing segment, without
fold-over, from said rotating drum when the trailing segment
reaches the take-up position; a guide, to which, after said each
segment has started to wind upon the core, the core is moved, and
which supports the core as said each web segment is partially wound
thereon; and a transfer mechanism which receives the core from the
guide and supports same in operative driven contact with the drum
until such time as said each web segment is completely wound
thereon.
2. A winder for use with an advancing web and a supply of adhesive
cores, said winder comprising: a rotating drum around which said
web passes in use and including a suction portion; a cutter
mechanism adapted to sever said web, as it passes around said drum,
into segments to be wound around one each respective cores from the
supply; a suction facility adapted to draw air through the suction
portion of the drum such that, when the web is severed, the
trailing segment is carried by the suction portion of the drum to a
take-up position; a core loader which, for each segment, receives a
core from the supply at a starting position whereat the core is
rotated by operative driven contact with said drum and whereat the
core adhesively receives the leading edge of said trailing segment,
without fold-over, from said rotating drum when the trailing
segment reaches the take-up position; a guide, to which, after said
each segment has started to wind upon the core, the core is moved,
and which supports the core as said each web segment is partially
wound thereon; and a transfer mechanism which receives the core
from the guide and supports same in operative driven contact with
the drum until such time as said each web segment is completely
wound thereon.
3. A winder according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive
applicator which applies adhesive to the core before the leading
edge of the segment reaches the release position, such that said
core adhesively receives the leading edge of said segment from said
rotating drum when the web reaches the take-up position.
4. A winder according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive
applicator which applies adhesive to the leading edge of the
segment before it reaches the release position, such that said core
adhesively receives the leading edge of said segment from said
rotating drum when the web reaches the take-up position.
5. A winder according to claim 1, wherein the rotating drum is a
reversible rotating drum and the transfer mechanism provides for
the winding of said segment on said core either web face up or web
face down, depending upon the direction of drum rotation.
6. A winder according to claim 1, wherein the drum has a
longitudinal channel in the outer circumferential surface thereof,
and the cutter mechanism has a knife which is selectively inserted
into said channel to sever the web.
7. A winder according to claim 6, wherein, when the web is to be
severed, the knife is carried to a position near the drum and
caused to pivot in sync with the drum such that knife rotates in
mesh with the channel.
8. A winder according to claim 7, wherein a cam pin on the drum and
a pivotable fork which is engaged by and moved by the pin on
rotation of the drum provides for said pivotal movement of the
knife in sync with the drum.
9. A winder according to claims 6 wherein the knife moves
longitudinally in the channel to sever the web in use.
10. A winder according to claim 9, wherein the fork is pivotally
mounted to a knife carriage that moves radially from a retracted
position, relatively distant from the drum, to an extended cutting
position, relatively proximal to the drum, when the web is to be
severed; and wherein longitudinal movement of the knife is provided
by coacting cam surfaces provided, respectively, on the fork and
the knife carriage.
11. A winder according to claim 1, wherein the core loader, for
each segment, receives a core from the supply and moves same to the
starting position and, after said each segment has started to wind
upon the core, moves the core to the guide.
12. A winder according to claim 11, wherein the core loader
comprises a pair of radially-extending, longitudinally-spaced
loading arms disposed at opposite ends of the drum, a core cradle
for and mounted to each guide arm for pivotal movement about an
axis parallel to the drum axis for substantially radial movement,
the loading arms and the cradles: having a loading configuration,
for receiving a core; being movable, by pivotal movement of the
cradles, from the loading configuration, to a starting
configuration, for movement of the core to the start position and
whereat the core cradles each support an end of the core in use for
rotatable movement by the drum; and being movable, by pivotal
movement of the loading arms about the drum axis, to a transfer
configuration, for movement of the core to the guide.
13. A winder according to claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism
moves the core from the guide to an offloading position whereat the
core is released as said each segment is wound upon the core.
14. A winder according to claim 13, wherein the transfer mechanism
comprises: a pair of longitudinally spaced support arms, pivotally
mounted at respective lower ends thereof for movement between
transfer and offloading positions which correspond to the transfer
and offloading positions of the transfer mechanism, each support
arm supporting an end of the core in use for rotatable movement by
the drum during movement of the core between the transfer and
offloading positions.
15. A winder according to claim 6, wherein, the knife is caused to
rotate in mesh with the channel to sever the web.
16. A winder according to claim 15, wherein the knife rotates in
sync with the rotation of the drum and is carried to a position
near the drum so as to rotate in mesh with the channel when the web
is to be severed.
17. A winder according to claim 16, wherein the knife is coupled to
a motor which is actuated when the web is to be severed to cause
the knife to rotate in mesh with the channel.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to winders, i.e. devices for
reeling or winding a travelling or advancing web onto a tube or
core.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is well known to wind webs or films on reels or spools
after manufacture for shipment to end-users, such as packaging
companies, and the demands made of winders are constantly
increasingly. The increasing prevalence of multi-layer webs has
made reversible winders of great advantage. Demands for better and
flatter rolls make it important that web transfer between rolls is
carried out without tension change and without fold-over. Straight
line cutting, i.e. squared-off web ends is also viewed favorably,
as is relatively fast and simple web transfer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A winder for use with an advancing web and a supply of cores
forms one aspect of the invention. The winder comprises: a rotating
drum around which said web passes in use and including a suction
portion; a cutter mechanism adapted to sever said web, as it passes
around said drum, into segments to be wound one each around
respective cores from the supply; a suction facility adapted to
draw air through the suction portion of the drum such that, when
the web is severed, the trailing segment is carried by the suction
portion of the drum to a take-up position; a core loader which, for
each segment, receives a core from the supply at a starting
position whereat the core is rotated by operative driven contact
with said drum and whereat the core receives, without fold-over,
the leading edge of said trailing segment from said rotating drum
when the trailing segment reaches the take-up position; a guide, to
which, after said each segment has started to wind upon the core,
the core is moved, and which supports the core as said each web
segment is partially wound thereon; and a transfer mechanism which
receives the core from the guide and supports same in operative
driven contact with the drum until such time as said each web
segment is completely wound thereon.
[0005] A winder for use with an advancing web and a supply of
adhesive cores forms another aspect of the invention. The winder
comprises: a rotating drum around which said web passes in use and
including a suction portion; a cutter mechanism adapted to sever
said web, as it passes around said drum, into segments to be wound
one each around respective cores from the supply; a suction
facility adapted to draw air through the suction portion of the
drum such that, when the web is severed, the trailing segment is
carried by the suction portion of the drum to a take-up position; a
core loader which, for each segment, receives a core from the
supply at a starting position whereat the core is rotated by
operative driven contact with said drum and whereat the core
adhesively receives the leading edge of said trailing segment,
without fold-over, from said rotating drum when the trailing
segment reaches the take-up position; a guide, to which, after said
each segment has started to wind upon the core, the core is moved,
and which supports the core as said each web segment is partially
wound thereon; and a transfer mechanism which receives the core
from the guide and supports same in operative driven contact with
the drum until such time as said each web segment is completely
wound thereon.
[0006] These winders provide for relatively fast and simple web
transfer, without problematic tension change and without fold-over,
and permit reversible winding and straight line web cutting.
Further advantages, features and characteristics of the present
invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the
related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and
economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter being briefly described hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a winder according to
an embodiment of the invention, somewhat schematically represented,
showing the core loader in the loading configuration and in receipt
of a core; the upper and lower nip rollers retracted; the transfer
mechanism in a fully extended configuration; the knife carriage in
a retracted position; and the web threaded through the buffering
rollers, around the upper nip roller and extending partially around
the drum;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the core loader
in the starting configuration, the upper nip roller extended, and
the leading edge of the segment at the take-up position;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but with the core loader
in the transfer configuration and the core released to the
guide;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the transfer
mechanism in the winding configuration and in receipt of the
core;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but with the core loader
in the loading configuration and in receipt of a further core;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the knife
carriage at a cutting position;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but with the drum
rotated such that the cam pin is about to engage the fork;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but with the drum
further rotated and the fork pivoted such that the knife extends
into the channel;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but with the drum
further rotated such that the fork is pivoted downwardly and the
cam is about to disengage from the fork;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but with the knife
carriage returned to the retracted position;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but with the transfer
mechanism in the offloading configuration;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the winding
being carried-out upside down;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the winding
being carried out upside-down;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 6, showing the winding
being carried out upside-down;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing the winding
being carried out upside-down;
[0022] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 8, showing the winding
being carried out upside-down;
[0023] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 9, showing the winding
being carried out upside-down;
[0024] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing the winding
being carried out upside-down;
[0025] FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of a second embodiment
of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of the structure of FIG.
19;
[0027] FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the structure of FIG.
19;
[0028] FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 8 of the structure of FIG.
19;
[0029] FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of the structure of FIG.
19;
[0030] FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 10 of the structure of
FIG. 19;
[0031] FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the air shaft used in the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 26 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2; and
[0033] FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] With general reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the
present invention, a winder, is illustrated in use and is
designated by the general reference numeral 20. Generally, the
winder includes a rotating drum 22; a cutter mechanism 24; a
suction facility; a core loader 28; a guide 30; a transfer
mechanism 32; an upper nip roller 34 and a lower nip roller 36.
[0035] With reference to FIG. 26, the drum 22 includes a suction
portion 38 and has a longitudinal channel 40 in the outer
circumferential surface thereof. Suction portion 38 is an area of
the outer circumferential surface, bisected by the channel 40, with
a foraminous mantel or perforated outer shell through which air can
be drawn.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 27, the cutter mechanism 24 includes
a knife 42, a cam pin 44, a fork 46, a knife carriage 48 and
coacting cam surfaces (not shown) provided, respectively, on the
fork 46 and the knife carriage 48. The knife carriage 48 is mounted
on rails 50 for radial movement, and is selectively actuated by a
first hydraulic cylinder 52, from a retracted position, relatively
distant from the drum 22 and shown in FIG. 5, to an extended
cutting position, relatively proximal to the drum 22 and shown in
FIG. 6. Returning to FIG. 27, the fork 46 is pivotally mounted to
the knife carriage 48 and has a second hydraulic cylinder 54
mounted thereto and providing for pivotal movement of the fork 46.
The knife 42 is mounted to the fork 46 for selective movement
therewith.
[0037] The suction facility is adapted to draw air through the
suction portion 38 of the drum 22 and takes the form of a simple
compressor.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 1, 27, the core loader 28 comprises
a pair of radially-extending, longitudinally-spaced loading arms 56
disposed at opposite ends of the drum 22 and a core cradle 58 for
and mounted to each loading arm 56 for pivotal movement about an
axis X2-X2 parallel to the drum axis X1-X1 for substantially radial
movement. The loading arms 56 and the cradles 58 have a loading
configuration, shown in FIG. 1; are movable by pivotal movement of
the cradles 58 controlled by hydraulic cylinders 100, from the
loading configuration, to a starting configuration, shown in FIG.
2; and are movable, by pivotal movement of the loading arms 56
controlled by cylinders 102 about the drum axis X1-X1 to a transfer
configuration, shown in FIG. 3. The cradles 58 each terminate in an
open hook or slot 60 and have a third hydraulic cylinder 62 which
selectively closes the slot 60, as best seen in FIG. 26.
[0039] The transfer mechanism 32 comprises a pair of
longitudinally-spaced support arms 64, pivotally mounted at
respective lower ends thereof for movement controlled by hydraulic
cylinders 104 between winding and offloading positions which
correspond to winding and offloading configurations of the transfer
mechanism 32 shown, respectively, in FIGS. 5 and 11. The support
arms 64 each terminate in an open hook or slot 66 and have a fourth
hydraulic cylinder 68 which selectively closes the slot.
[0040] The upper 34 and lower 36 nip rollers are each mounted on a
respective pivoting arm 70, 72 and movable, respectively, into and
out of engagement with the drum by fifth 74 and sixth 76 hydraulic
cylinders. Movement of the upper nip roller 34 into engagement with
the drum 22 is shown in the sequence of FIGS. 1, 2.
[0041] The winder 20 is used with an advancing web of plastic film
or the like 78 and a supply of cores 80. Each core includes an
exteriorly adhesive coated cardboard tube operatively mounted about
an air shaft 110 shown in FIG. 25. The air shaft 110 is of a known
type (and accordingly is not illustrated in detail) which includes
a steel shaft 112 with expandable longitudinal splines 114 disposed
about its periphery, the air shaft, in use, being disposed inside
the cardboard tube and chargeable with air to bring the splines 114
into contact with the inside of the tube. The ends of the shaft
terminate in paired bearings 116, 118, 120 which permit the steel
shaft, cardboard and any webbing built up thereon, to rotate
smoothly about the shaft axis X3-X3 inside the bearings.
[0042] When winding, the web 78 normally exits the extruder in a
downward orientation, is directed to the drum 22 via a series of
buffer rollers 82 and is introduced to the drum 22 by the upper nip
roller 34, as shown in FIG. 4. The web 78 passes around the
rotating drum 22 and is taken up by a core 80 which is driven by
contact with the drum 22 and which is supported by the support arms
64. Support arms 64 grip bearings 118 of the air shaft 110, such
that the cardboard tube and reeled webbing is readily rotatable
about the drum axis X1-X1. As shown by the sequence of FIGS. 4, 6,
as webbing builds upon the core 80, the support arms 64 arms pivot,
to accommodate the increasing diameter of the web/core
combination.
[0043] When webbing has built up appreciably on the core,
preparations are made to transfer reeling operations to a new
core.
[0044] As an initial step, the loading arms 56 and the cradles 58
are caused to assume the loading configuration, wherein the cradles
open 58 upwardly, for receiving a core, and a core is loaded
therein, for example, by an overhead crane (not shown). Cradles 58
receive bearings 116 of the air shaft 110, such that the cardboard
tube and reeled webbing thereon is readily rotatable. Once the core
80 has been received into the cradles 58, as shown in FIG. 5, the
third hydraulic cylinders 62 are extended, to lock the core 80 in
the cradles 58, as shown in exemplary fashion in FIG. 26.
[0045] When the web is to be severed: the suction facility is
engaged to draw the web tightly across the channel 40; the core
loader 28 is caused to move to the starting configuration, as shown
in FIG. 10, to bring the new core into contact with the drum 22 and
commence rotation of the new core; and the knife carriage 48 is
moved from the retracted position to the extended cutting position,
as shown in FIG. 6, to bring the fork 46 into radial range of the
cam pin 44. As the drum 22 rotates, the cam pin 44 engages the fork
46, as shown in FIG. 7. This causes the knife 42 to rotate in mesh
with and project into the channel 40, as shown by the sequence of
FIGS. 7-9. The cam pin 44 and fork 46 are well illustrated in FIG.
27. Simultaneously, the coacting cam surfaces on the fork 46 and
the knife carriage 48 cause the knife 42 to move longitudinally in
the channel 40, to slice/sever the web. As cam surfaces are well
known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, same are not
described herein in detail.
[0046] When the web is severed, the leading segment and the
trailing segment follow different paths.
[0047] The leading segment continues its original trajectory around
the drum 22, to complete the spool. Upon spool completion, the
support arms 64 move to the offloading position, as shown in FIG.
11, which corresponds to an offloading configuration of the
transfer mechanism 32, to move the completed spool to an offloading
position, and the fourth hydraulic cylinders 68 retract, to release
the core. The completed core can then be removed from the transfer
mechanism 32 by an overhead crane, forklift or the like (not
shown).
[0048] In contrast, the trailing segment is carried by the suction
portion 38 of the drum 22 to a take-up position, as shown in FIG.
10, whereat it contacts the new spool and is taken up thereby as
the new spool rotates. After said each segment has started to wind
upon the core 80 and the transfer arms 64 have moved the completed
reel away from the drum 22, the suction facility is disengaged and
the core loader 28 is caused to assume a transfer configuration, as
shown in FIG. 3, by pivotal movement of the loading arms 56 about
the drum axis X1-X1, which moves the new core to the guide 30 which
supports the core as the next web segment is partially wound
thereon. (Guide 30 receives bearings 120 of the air shaft 110, such
that the cardboard tube is readily rotatable.) Thereat, the third
hydraulic cylinders 62 retract, to release the core to the guide
30, and the core loader 28 is caused to revert to the starting
configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, for receipt of a new core and
repetition of the process. Although the sequence of FIGS. 2, 3 show
movement of the core to the guide 30 occurring at a very early
stage in the winding process, i.e. with only a minimal amount of
webbing, it should be understood that this is not necessary, and
movement to the guide 30 may take place only after an appreciable
amount of webbing has been reeled, since cradles 58 readily pivot
to adjust to the increasing diameter of the reel, as shown in FIG.
26.
[0049] After the core loader 28 has released the shaft, support
arms 64 pivot to wrap hooks 66 around the shaft, specifically,
around bearings 118, and the fourth cylinders 68 extend, to lock
the core in position, as shown in FIG. 4, at which point, normal
winding continues. This defines a winding configuration of the
transfer mechanism 32.
[0050] If it desired that the web be reeled or winded upside-down
on the roll, this can be easily done with the winder, simply by
retracting the upper nip roller 34 from contact with the drum 22,
rethreading the web so as to pass about the lower nip roller 36,
extending the lower nip roller 36 into contact with the drum 22,
and driving the drum in reverse, as shown in FIG. 12. The
operations in this application are substantially identical to those
as shown in FIGS. 1-11, and accordingly, are not further described.
However, whereas in the application shown in FIGS. 1-11, the fork
46 is supported by the cylinder 54 in an initially upward
orientation and, when the knife carriage 48 moves to the extended
configuration, is driven by the cam pin 44 downwardly as the drum
22 rotates, in the upside-down winding application, the fork 46 is
initially maintained in an downward orientation by the cylinder 54,
and is driven upwardly by the cam pin 44, as shown in the sequence
of FIGS. 13-18.
[0051] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.
19-24, which correspond to FIGS. 4-10 of the first embodiment but
show, instead of a fork-mounted knife driven by a cam pin, a
rotatable knife 84 driven by a motor 86. When the web is to be
severed, the knife 84 is carried to a position near the drum and
the motor is actuated, to cause the knife to rotate in mesh with
the channel to sever the web.
[0052] While but two embodiments of the present invention have been
herein shown and described, it will be understood that various
changes can be made.
[0053] For example, whereas the illustrated embodiments utilize
adhesive cores, it could be possible to use plain cardboard cores,
and an adhesive applicator which applies adhesive to the core at
any point in the process before the leading edge of the segment
reaches the take-up position.
[0054] Equally, it could be possible to utilize plain cores, and an
adhesive applicator which applies adhesive to the leading edge of
the segment before it reaches the tackle-up position.
[0055] Further, whereas the embodiment of FIGS. 19-24 shows a servo
motor or the like, which causes the knife to pivot only when in
motion to sever the web, it would equally be possible for the knife
to rotate whenever the drum is in motion and synchronized
therewith. In this case, the knife carriage would need to move into
and out of the cutting position within one rotation of the drum to
avoid multiple cuts, in contrast to the servo motor variation,
which could be moved at a relatively slower speed.
[0056] Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is
to be limited only by the claims appended hereto, purposively
construed.
* * * * *