U.S. patent application number 14/237241 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-25 for packaging unit for glass rolled onto a winding core.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCHOTT AG. The applicant listed for this patent is Gregor Kuebart, Rainer Schwertfeger, Georg Sparschuh, Dirk Sprenger, Angelika Ullmann, Juergen Vogt, Holger Wegener, Thomas Wiegel. Invention is credited to Gregor Kuebart, Rainer Schwertfeger, Georg Sparschuh, Dirk Sprenger, Angelika Ullmann, Juergen Vogt, Holger Wegener, Thomas Wiegel.
Application Number | 20140284236 14/237241 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46682845 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140284236 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuebart; Gregor ; et
al. |
September 25, 2014 |
PACKAGING UNIT FOR GLASS ROLLED ONTO A WINDING CORE
Abstract
A packaging unit for accommodating glass rolled onto a winding
core is provided. The packaging unit includes at least two wall
parts that can be separated from one another and together form a
closed unit. A first retaining element is connected to a first wall
part and a second retaining element is connected to a second wall
part arranged opposite the first wall part. A damping element is
connected to at least one retaining element and/or to at least one
of the first and second wall parts.
Inventors: |
Kuebart; Gregor; (Dresden,
DE) ; Wiegel; Thomas; (Alfeld, DE) ; Vogt;
Juergen; (Oberheimbach, DE) ; Wegener; Holger;
(Alfeld, DE) ; Schwertfeger; Rainer;
(Eschershausen, DE) ; Sparschuh; Georg; (Vadodara,
DE) ; Sprenger; Dirk; (Grabsleben, DE) ;
Ullmann; Angelika; (Coppenbruegge, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kuebart; Gregor
Wiegel; Thomas
Vogt; Juergen
Wegener; Holger
Schwertfeger; Rainer
Sparschuh; Georg
Sprenger; Dirk
Ullmann; Angelika |
Dresden
Alfeld
Oberheimbach
Alfeld
Eschershausen
Vadodara
Grabsleben
Coppenbruegge |
|
DE
DE
DE
DE
DE
DE
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
SCHOTT AG
Mainz
DE
|
Family ID: |
46682845 |
Appl. No.: |
14/237241 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
August 16, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/065996 |
371 Date: |
June 5, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/408 ;
206/413; 206/53; 206/591 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/022 20130101;
B65D 21/023 20130101; B65D 81/113 20130101; B65D 85/48 20130101;
B65D 81/07 20130101; B65D 85/672 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/408 ; 206/53;
206/413; 206/591 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/07 20060101
B65D081/07; B65D 85/672 20060101 B65D085/672; B65D 81/113 20060101
B65D081/113 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 18, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 081 172.9 |
Claims
1-13. (canceled)
14. A packaging unit for receiving glass rolled onto a winding
core, comprising: at least two wall parts that can be separated
from one another, wherein the at least two wall parts together form
a closed unit, the closed unit having a first retaining element
connected to a first wall part, a second retaining element
connected to a second wall part arranged opposite the first wall
part, and a damping element connected to at least one of the first
retaining element, the second retaining element, and one wall part,
and wherein, when loading or unloading the packaging unit, the
first retaining element receives the winding core and supports the
winding core on one side.
15. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one
of the first and second retaining elements is engagable with a
connection device of the winding core.
16. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one
of the first and second retaining elements forms a locked
connection with the winding core.
17. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one
of the first and second retaining elements comprises an adapter or
clamping chuck or clamping adapter.
18. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the damping
element is arranged in at least one wall part and encloses the
first or second retaining element.
19. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one
of the first and second retaining elements comprises a supporting
spindle, the supporting spindle being suitable for supporting the
winding core along an indentation or a cavity running in the
interior thereof.
20. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
supporting spindle is mounted in a sprung manner or in an
oscillation-damped manner in at least one of the first and second
retaining elements.
21. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein one or more
damping elements are arranged on an outer face of the supporting
spindle, enclosing at least a portion of the outer face.
22. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
supporting spindle is mounted in a sprung manner or in an
oscillation-damped manner in at least one of the first and second
retaining elements.
23. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein one or more
damping elements is/are arranged on an outer side of the packaging
unit.
24. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 23, wherein the one or
more damping elements are on a supporting face or on a contact face
of the packaging unit.
25. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a
cooperating receiving device arranged on a side of the packaging
unit, the cooperating receiving device being configured to receive
a further packaging unit in such a way that at least two packaging
units can be arranged above or beside one another so as to engage
in one another in a modular manner.
26. The packaging unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the closed
unit is a gas-tight unit having a clean glass filling an interior
thereof.
27. The use of a packaging unit as claimed in claim 14 for the
oscillation-reduced storage and oscillation-reduced transport of
glass rolled onto the winding core.
28. The use of a packaging unit as claimed in claim 14 as a clean
space for the storage and transport of glass rolled onto the
winding core.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a packaging unit for glass rolled
onto a winding core, and to the use of such a packaging unit.
[0002] Thin glass is being used increasingly for a wide range of
applications, for example in the fields of consumer electronics as
cover glass for semiconductor modules, for organic LED light
sources, or also for even thinner display devices or in the fields
of renewable energies or power engineering, such as solar cells.
Examples of this include touch panels, capacitors, thin-film
batteries, flexible printed circuit boards, flexible OLEDs,
flexible photovoltaic modules, or also e-papers. The focus has
turned increasingly to thin glass for many applications due to its
outstanding properties, such as resistance to chemicals,
temperature change and heat, its gas-tightness, high electrical
insulation capacity, adapted coefficient of expansion, flexibility,
high optical quality and light permeability, or also high surface
quality with very low roughness due to a fire-polished surface. In
this case, thin glass is understood to mean glass panels, glass
sheets, glass substrates or glass films having thicknesses less
than approximately 1.2 mm down to thicknesses of 15 .mu.m and less.
Due to its flexibility, thin glass is increasingly rolled up after
production, and is stored as a glass roll or is transported for
assembly or further processing. Compared to storage and transport
of material spread out flat, the rolling of glass has the advantage
of more cost-effective, compact storage, transport and handling
during further processing.
[0003] In order to further reduce transport and storage costs, it
is advantageous to wind radii that are as tight as possible,
whereby the tensile stresses in the glass strip and therefore the
risk of breakage are increased however.
[0004] With all the outstanding properties, glass, as a brittle
material, has a rather low breaking strength, since it is not very
resistant to tensile stresses. For breakage-free storage and for
breakage-free transport of such a glass roll, the quality and
integrity of the edges is firstly of significance in order to avoid
the formation of a crack or break in the rolled-up glass strip.
Even damage such as miniscule cracks, for example microcracks, may
lead to larger cracks or breakages of the glass strip. In the
rolled-up state, the upper face of the glass strip is subject to
tensile stress, which is why, furthermore, the integrity and
freedom of the surface from scratches, scores or other surface
defects is important in order to avoid the formation of a crack or
break in the rolled-up glass strip. Thirdly, internal stresses in
the glass caused by the production process should also be minimized
or absent in order to avoid the formation of a crack or break in
the rolled-up glass strip. Since, in the case of commercial
manufacture, all three factors can only be optimized to a limited
extent however, the susceptibility to breakage of such a rolled-up
glass is increased further still to the limits, provided in any
case, of its material property. Specific provisions and conditions
are therefore important for the storage and transport of such a
glass roll in order to avoid damage to the glass. In particular,
such a glass roll must be protected against impacts and
oscillation-like stresses. Mechanical loads acting from the outside
in this way may otherwise cause the breaking limits of the glass to
be exceeded and may therefore lead to crack formation in the
glass.
[0005] If, for example, a glass roll is placed on a storage
surface, such as a pallet, in a position in which the axis runs
approximately horizontally, there is the problem that there is a
concentration of stress in the contact region and breaks form
easily in the glass strip.
[0006] The storage, transport and handling of glass materials
spread out flat is necessary in the case of thicker glasses, which
are not flexible enough to be rolled up, such as flat glasses and
known glasses for flat screens. A packaging for such glass
materials spread out flat is described for example in US
2007/0131574 or JP 048577/1990. Such a packaging is not compact
however and is completely unsuitable for the packaging of a glass
roll.
[0007] The packaging of a material rolled onto a reel is described
by contrast in WO 2008/123124. Here, for protection against
impacts, a plate-shaped flange part with an attached tubular part
is described for both sides of the reel and engages in the cavity
of a winding core. The two parts are each to be formed in an
integrated manner from a polyolefin bead foam, which is to absorb
the impact energy. Furthermore, a gap is provided as edge
protection between the upper edge of the rolled-up material and
each flange. Such a packaging is unsuitable however for a glass
roll, since the glass roll on the one hand would be completely
unprotected over the expanse of its surface between the flanges,
and on the other hand oscillation and impact energy would enter the
glass inadmissibly in spite of the provided gap and the material
selection for the roll mounting. There is also no provision of a
reliable possibility for storing and transporting a number of glass
rolls.
[0008] In a development, JP 2009-173307 describes a packaging form
for the storage and transport of a sensitive pressure measuring
sheet rolled onto a winding core, in which case a flange is formed
on both ends of the winding core onto which the pressure measuring
sheet is wound and is larger than the outer diameter of the wound
pressure measuring sheet. The pressure measuring sheet is hereby
arranged at a distance from the set-down surface. A glass film, in
contrast to a pressure measuring sheet, is a material which easily
breaks. This means that, in the case of a pressure measuring sheet,
it is sufficient to ensure that the microcapsules for pressure
measurement formed on the surface do not burst, however it is
necessary to ensure in the case of a rolled-up glass that no breaks
occur not only on the surface of the roll, but also at the edges of
the glass strip, which form the lateral regions of the roll. Since,
in particular, it may be that the two lateral regions of the roll
comprising the edges of the glass strip are exposed outwardly, they
may easily become a starting point of breaks at the edges.
[0009] Here, WO 2010/038760 describes a development for a glass
roll. For a glass roll rolled onto a winding core with lateral
flanges, various arrangements for buffering with introduced buffer
materials between the lateral regions of the glass roll and the
flanges are described. Contact between the edges of the glass strip
and the flanges, which could lead to breaks at the edges, are to be
avoided hereby.
[0010] For this purpose, laterally protruding intermediate layers
rolled in between the glass strip layers are proposed and fill only
part of the gap and are not in contact with the flanges or, in
another proposed embodiment, are in contact with the flanges. In
this case, cracks or breaks in the glass strip may form however at
the edges when the glass roll is wound up or unwound if the
protruding regions of the intermediate layer hook into one another
or get caught. Impacts or oscillations during transport may also
lead to a lateral displacement of the glass strip layers on the
roll, which likewise leads to breakages of the glass strip or to
edge damage. A lateral displacement of the glass strip can occur in
this case as a whole along the axial direction of the winding core
or also as a result of the outer diameter side of the glass strip
moving laterally on the roll with respect to the inner diameter
side, the edges of the glass strip then being arranged above one
another in a step-like manner (lateral "telescoping").
[0011] In another embodiment, a separate buffer material is
arranged between the glass roll and flange. Lateral displacement of
the glass strip layers on the roll caused by impacts or
oscillations during transport could indeed be reduced hereby,
however this results in a relative movement between the glass strip
edges and such a buffer material, in particular in the case of
oscillations caused by transport. The edges may already be damaged
even with very small relative movements or stresses caused thereby
at the edges of the glass strip, or cracks may be induced in the
glass strip.
[0012] In order to avoid this, it is proposed in another embodiment
to arrange this buffer material only in contact with the flange,
but not in contact with the lateral regions of the glass roll.
However, impacts or oscillations during transport may again lead to
a lateral displacement of the glass strip layers on the roll as a
whole or to the described lateral telescoping as a result, which in
turn may result in breaks of the glass strip or edge damage.
[0013] Furthermore, WO 2010/038760 describes the formation of axis
parts which protrude laterally from the flanges and are supported
by bearings which are formed in bases. A rolling of the glass roll
independently of the flanges is to be prevented hereby. Such a
design or a plurality of such structures may also be covered by a
packaging crate. A disadvantage of this solution however is that
impacts and oscillation-like stresses are transferred onto or into
the glass roll in an undamped manner, which constitutes a high
breakage and crack risk for the glass.
[0014] Alternatively to this packaging with transversely directed
glass roll, a packaging with vertically directed glass roll is
described. Here, a plurality of glass rolls are to be fitted with
their winding cores on vertically arranged column-shaped elements
which are fixed to the base of a crate body. A disadvantage here
however on the one hand is a wobbling of the glass rolls during
transport. Even though, in order to prevent breakages thus caused
of the glass strip, a sufficient spacing of the glass rolls or also
the filling of a buffer material between the glass rolls is
proposed, the edges located at the supporting face of the glass
roll are loaded in an unsuitable manner not only by the inherent
pressure of the glass roll, but in particular also by the wobbling
of the roll, which leads to cracks and breaks in the glass strip
and to edge damage. On the other hand, impacts and oscillation-like
stresses are also transferred here in an undamped manner to the
glass roll or are introduced into the glass roll, which constitutes
a high breakage and crack risk for the glass.
[0015] The object of the invention is therefore to avoid the
above-described disadvantages and to provide a packaging unit for
receiving glass rolled onto a winding core, which reduces the
breakage and crack risk for the glass during storage or transport.
A reliable packaging for a plurality of glass rolls is also to be
found.
[0016] This object is achieved by the invention by means of the
features of claim 1 and claims 12 and 13.
[0017] The glass roll is integrated into a closed packaging unit in
order to protect it against direct external physical or chemical
attacks or effects. Such a packaging unit consists at least of two
wall parts that can be separated from one another, wherein the wall
parts together form a closed unit. A distinction is made between
the individual wall parts of the packaging unit as follows: the two
head parts of the packaging unit, which are arranged opposite the
lateral regions of the glass roll, and the wall parts, which
comprise the widthwise orientation of the glass roll, such as the
base part, the side parts and the top part of the packaging unit.
The packaging unit may be rectangular or polygonal or
cylindrical.
[0018] For example, all wall parts of the packaging unit can be
joined together as individual parts during the packaging process,
or they can also be joined together in a manner securely connected
to one another arbitrarily as individual groups during the
packaging process.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the side parts, the base part and
the top part or the cylindrical wall part are connected to a head
part, whereby, when packaging the glass roll, only the other head
part is also connected to the other parts in order to form the
packaging unit. Half the length of the side parts, the base part
and the top part may also be connected to each head part
however.
[0020] With a cylindrical embodiment, the base part, the side parts
and the top part form a hollow cylinder, wherein this individually
forms a wall part and is joined together with two head parts or is
already connected entirely to one head part and is joined together
with the second head part or can be connected in each case as a
part to both head parts, wherein a closed packaging unit is always
produced when the individual parts are joined together.
[0021] Any material which ensures sufficient stability, such as a
wood, plywood, metal or plastic, is suitable as material for the
wall parts. Depending on the transport or storage requirements, a
sufficient gas-tightness or environmental friendliness is taken
into account during the selection process.
[0022] In accordance with the invention, a retaining element is
connected to each of the wall parts forming the head parts. The
retaining elements are arranged opposite one another and, during
use, carry the glass roll or the winding core between them, with
the result that a glass roll can be stored in the packaging unit at
a distance from the wall parts which form the base part, the side
parts and the top part.
[0023] A retaining element can be connected directly to a wall part
or anchored therein or thereon. An anchoring for the retaining
element may also be associated with a wall part however. In this
case, the anchoring can be securely connected to the wall part or
only loosely connected thereto. For example, the anchoring can be
positioned as a separate component in front of a head part and can
be connected in a form-locked manner or force-locked manner thereto
and/or to the adjacent wall parts. In each embodiment, the
anchoring in the closed state of the packaging unit is securely
connected thereto.
[0024] The anchoring can be formed from two plates which are
distanced from one another and which are possibly also braced to
one another in order to form an anchoring, capable of bearing a
load, for a retaining element which may receive and support a glass
roll even without the second retaining element. An anchoring can
also be attached however, for example as a reinforcement plate, to
the inner face of a head part and can carry the retaining
element.
[0025] Such a retaining element for example may comprise a pin, a
spindle, a peg, a locking mechanism or a closing mechanism, which
in each case are suitable for engaging in a corresponding
connection device at an end of a winding spindle, wherein both
retaining elements can securely receive therebetween the winding
core with the glass possibly wound thereon.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, a retaining element is designed
in this case such that it can engage in a cavity arranged in the
winding core or in a corresponding indentation, which in each case
is provided on the lateral ends of a winding core. The engaging
part of the retaining element, which may be a supporting spindle or
one or more pins or pegs, may have any suitable cross section.
[0027] A winding core can be round or polygonal. For example, a
winding core may consist substantially of a tube, and therefore the
retaining elements can engage in the lateral tube ends. The
retaining elements here may have a conical region which is suitable
for centering the winding core. The lateral ends of a winding core
may also have one or more specifically shaped indentations, in
which matching counterpieces on the retaining elements engage and,
in so doing, preferably center the winding core. Such indentations
may be conical or shaped in the manner of a cone frustum, or
pyramidal or shaped in the manner of a pyramid frustum, for
example, or can also be designed in any other suitable manner. A
specific connection device may also be provided at one or both ends
of a winding core and can be anchored by means of a respective
counterpiece on the retaining element, with the result that the
winding core can be securely connected at its lateral end to the
retaining element. Such a device can be formed for example as a
bayonet closure or may have a device for latching, hooking, locking
or screwing.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, a continuous supporting spindle
is provided for a substantially tubular winding core and extends
along a cavity running axially inside the winding core, the winding
core resting substantially over its entire inner length on said
supporting spindle and being supported thereby. In an embodiment,
the supporting spindle is securely connected to a retaining element
and is associated therewith and is connected or anchored to the
second retaining element when the packaging unit is joined
together. The supporting spindle may also be connected or anchored
as a separate component to each retaining element when the
packaging unit is joined together. The connection or anchoring can
be implemented for example by insertion or screwing into a peg or
also in any suitable manner.
[0029] The cross section of the supporting spindle can be round in
the simplest case, wherein a single axially extending bearing face
for the winding core is produced when the supporting spindle
diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the winding core.
Due to a suitable choice of cross section however, two and more
axially extending bearing faces may also be provided, whereby the
support of the winding core is improved. The deflection of a
mounted or transported glass roll can thus be effectively reduced
or avoided, even over a length of time and in the event of impacts
and oscillations.
[0030] In another embodiment, a supporting spindle may also be
secured or anchored on each retaining element or can be secured or
anchored when the packaging unit is joined together. In order to
carry and support a winding core or a glass roll with winding core,
the two supporting spindles protrude during use from the lateral
ends of the winding core into said winding core. This protrusion
may be so far that the supporting spindles approximately contact
one another or also extend only into the lateral end region of a
winding core.
[0031] In another embodiment, a continuous supporting spindle or a
supporting spindle which is part of a retaining element or also the
part of a retaining element engaging into a winding core can be
designed in such a way that it can be braced in the winding core.
For example, it can be formed as an adapter or as a clamping chuck
or as a clamping adapter for bridging the different diameters of
winding core and supporting spindle or of the part of a retaining
element engaging in a winding core. This secures a fixed mounting
against deflection with maximum support area, even when subject to
heavy loads. The glass roll also cannot vibrate or lift on the
holder, for example a supporting spindle, which enables secure
transport to the maximum extent.
[0032] In a further embodiment according to the invention, a
damping element is connected to at least one retaining element
and/or to at least one wall part. Damping elements damp
oscillations, vibrations or impacts in all possible spatial
directions. They are to reduce or fully absorb the transfer to the
glass roll of oscillations and impacts during the handling, storage
and transport of the packaging unit from the outside in. The
introduction of impacts and oscillation-like stresses onto or into
the glass roll is thus effectively reduced to a measure that
enables secure transport or storage of a glass roll.
[0033] Impacts can be caused in a large number of ways by transport
by means of a vehicle or by incorrect handling of the packaging
unit or by jolting in any way, and are impulse-like stresses, which
must not be transferred from the packaging unit to a glass roll to
a degree posing a risk.
[0034] Oscillation-like stresses are specified in a
frequency-dependent manner. These include periodic stresses, such
as a short-frequency oscillation in the range 0.1 Hz to 20 kHz, in
particular 50 Hz to 10 kHz, as are transferred during transport,
for example by jolting or by the vibration of an engine, to a glass
roll to be transported and may lead to damage.
[0035] Another load is constituted by centrifugal forces,
acceleration forces or breaking forces, as may act on a glass roll
during transport.
[0036] In accordance with the invention, the packaging unit has one
or more damping elements, which damp the impacts or oscillations
and reduce a transfer to the glass roll to a degree which enables
reliable transport or reliable storage of a glass roll. A damping
element is connected to at least one retaining element or to at
least one wall part, or to an anchoring associated with a wall
part. Any conceivable combination of the individual embodiments is
possible and is in each case combined such that optimal protection
of the glass roll to be transported is enabled on the whole for all
stresses to be expected.
[0037] In an embodiment, a damping element which encloses the
retaining element in the region of its anchoring in the wall part
or which encloses the anchoring itself is arranged in at least one
wall part, wherein the anchoring forms part of the head part.
Impacts or oscillations which above all act perpendicularly or at
an incline to the axis of a retaining element can thus be prevented
effectively from being transferred via the retaining element into a
glass roll to be transported. Impacts or oscillations which act
parallel to the axis of a retaining element can also be damped
hereby however.
[0038] In a further embodiment according to the invention, one or
more damping elements which, during use, connect a winding core in
an oscillation-damping and impact-damping manner to the retaining
element, can be arranged on the outer face of at least one
supporting spindle of a retaining element, which may also be formed
as a peg or pin, enclosing said outer face at least in regions and
at least in part. For example, these may be one or more distanced
resilient damping rings. They may also be one or more axially
extending damping elements, however. Impacts or oscillations which
act on the packaging element can thus effectively be prevented from
being transferred via the retaining element into a glass roll to be
transported.
[0039] In a further embodiment according to the invention, one or
more damping elements may be arranged at least on the outer faces
of a supporting spindle passing through the winding core, so as to
enclose said outer faces at least in regions and at least in part.
The damping elements can be arranged in this case for example only
in regions at the lateral ends of a winding core, or may also be
distributed over the entire length. For example, these may be one
or more resilient damping rings. The entire surface of the
supporting spindle may also be coated with or surrounded by an
oscillation-damping material. The supporting spindle may also
consist on the whole of an oscillation-damping material. During
use, the mass of a winding core with glass rolled thereonto is
mounted in an oscillation-damping and impact-damping manner on the
supporting spindle or the retaining elements. Impacts or
oscillations which act on the packaging element can thus
effectively be prevented from being transferred via the retaining
elements and the supporting spindle to a glass roll to be
transported.
[0040] In a further embodiment according to the invention, the
supporting spindle is mounted resiliently or in an
oscillation-damped manner in the retaining element. The damping
element in this embodiment forms the mounting of the supporting
spindle in the retaining element, wherein the supporting spindle
may be a continuous or a non-continuous supporting spindle or can
be formed as one or more pegs or pins.
[0041] For example, the damping in one embodiment can be designed
in such a way that the supporting spindle, peg or pin apart from
the actual main bearing is fixed to two springs and is supported by
two impact dampers. It can thus oscillate, but is gently braked by
the impact dampers in the event of excessively large
deflections.
[0042] In a further embodiment according to the invention, one or
more damping elements may be arranged on the outer face, preferably
beneath the base part of the packaging unit. If, for example, a
damping element is attached to the outer face of the base part, it
forms the bearing face of the packaging unit, for example on a
pallet. A number of damping elements distributed in a planar manner
or in a dotted manner can be attached to the outer face of the base
part, for example as buffer elements or impact dampers in the
corner regions or as strips on two mutually opposed lateral
regions. The entire base area may also consist of a layer of an
oscillation-damping material. Such damping panels can consist of
cork, rubber, rubber/metal compounds or the like.
Oscillation-damping mats or oscillation damping panels are
preferably used for this purpose. Impacts or oscillations which act
from beneath on the packaging unit can thus effectively be
prevented from being transferred inadmissibly to the packaging unit
and via the packaging unit into a glass roll to be transported.
[0043] Damping elements against lateral impacts or impacts from
above or against a transfer of oscillations when a plurality of
packaging units are arranged together can also be arranged at any
desired point on the outer face of the packaging unit where
expedient. In this case, the damping elements can cover the entire
outer face of a wall part or only larger or smaller regions.
[0044] Since the packaging units can also be stacked in accordance
with the invention or can be arranged together so as to form a
larger packaging unit, one or more damping elements can be arranged
in accordance with a further embodiment according to the invention
on the outer faces at points where the individual packaging units
contact, preferably on the supporting face or the supporting faces
below or above or on a contact face to the side of the packaging
unit.
[0045] For example, buffer elements or impact dampers formed from
an elastomer, such as rubber, silicone or caoutchouc or foam or
also resilient springs, in particular such as rubber springs, are
used as damping elements. Damping elements containing a metal mesh
for example or gas-damped elements can also be used however. In
accordance with the invention, all suitable damping elements known
sufficiently to a person skilled in the art can be used. Depending
on the specific task of a damping element, the deformation path and
the damping can be selected so as to be smaller or larger as a
result of suitable shape and/or material selection. When
dimensioning and sizing the damping elements, the mass of the glass
roll or of the packaging unit to be sprung or damped is taken into
consideration. In one embodiment, gas pressure damping elements are
used here, which make it possible, via an adjustable gas pressure,
to adjust the damping to the mass of the glass roll to be
packaged.
[0046] In all cases, an oscillation in the natural frequency of the
mass to be packaged is also to be counteracted or avoided.
[0047] In a further embodiment according to the invention, at least
two packaging units arranged one above the other and/or beside one
another can be arranged so as to engage in one another in a modular
manner for the packaging of a plurality of glass rolls. To this
end, cooperating receiving devices for a further packaging unit are
arranged at the bottom on the supporting face or the supporting
faces and on the upper face of the packaging unit and/or to the
side. The receiving devices may cooperate in a form-locked manner
in that a corresponding indentation for example is provided on a
packaging unit and an elevation of another packaging unit engages
in said indentation. The receiving devices may also cooperate in a
force-locked manner in that both packaging units can be locked
securely to one another by means of a receiving device or can be
fixedly interconnected in any suitable manner.
[0048] In an embodiment according to the invention, a damping
element is arranged on the faces of the receiving device where both
packaging units contact one another.
[0049] In a further embodiment according to the invention, the
packaging unit may be closed in a gas-tight manner and the interior
is filled with a clean gas. A dust-free and dirt-free clean space
can thus be produced in the interior of the packaging unit, the
clean space meeting all conditions imposed by the protection or
cleanliness requirements of the glass. Depending on requirements,
an overpressure can also be produced and maintained in the interior
of the packaging unit in order to rule out an infiltration of
ambient air.
[0050] In a further embodiment of the invention, the packaging unit
can be lined with air cushions. For example, these may be air
tires, air bags, air cushions or foamed materials which are filled
or inserted in the interior of the packaging crate between one or
more wall parts and a glass roll. These can be provided
additionally or alternatively to the above-described impact-damping
and oscillation-damping measures. It is also possible to insert
inflatable air bags into the packaging unit and to only inflate
these once the glass roll has been packed in the packaging unit.
The pressure on the air bag can be adjustable and controllable,
however it must not be so high that the pressure from the variable
volume body onto the glass roll causes damage thereto, in
particular in the edge region.
[0051] In a further embodiment, the glass roll can be enclosed in
the packaging unit by a double-walled tube. This can be filled,
once the glass roll has been packaged, with a gas, a liquid, or a
solid, small-particle, compressible material, for example in the
form of flakes, powder or beads. Due to the metering of the
quantity of the filled material and the compressibility thereof in
the tube, an external adjustable force can be exerted onto the
glass roll and the layers thereof and prevents the layers of the
glass roll from shifting with respect to one another. On the other
hand, the tube acts as a damping element, and the compressibility
of the filled material prevents impacts and oscillations, which act
on the glass roll, from damaging the glass roll. Such a tube can be
provided additionally or alternatively to the above-described
impact-damping and oscillation-damping measures.
[0052] The invention further comprises the use of a described
packaging unit for oscillation-reduced storage and
oscillation-reduced transport of glass rolled onto a winding core,
in particular thin glass. In this case, the integrated damping
elements act as oscillation or vibration or impact dampers in all
possible spatial directions. They reduce or absorb the transfer to
the glass roll of oscillations and impacts during the handling,
storage or transport of the packaging unit from the outside in,
wholly or in part, in such a way that the introduction of impacts
and oscillation-like stresses onto or into the glass roll is
effectively reduced to a level which enables safe transport or safe
storage of a glass roll.
[0053] The invention further comprises the use of a described
packaging unit as a dust-free and dirt-free clean space for the
storage and transport of glass rolled onto a winding core, in
particular thin glass. The packaging unit is closed in a gas-tight
manner for this purpose and is filled with a clean gas. Depending
on demand, all inert gases, such as argon, nitrogen or carbon
dioxide, are preferred gases. The relative air humidity is
preferably set in a range from 5-30%. The packaging unit meets all
conditions necessary for protection of the glass. This is
significant, in particular in the case of coated thin glass for
example, if the coating reacts in a sensitive manner to substances
which may have an effect due to environmental influences, or also
for glass substrates for displays, such as liquid-crystal displays
or organic LED displays, in which case, due to their use, clean
glass with no adhesions of dirt and dust is required.
[0054] The following figures are intended to explain the invention
in greater detail by way of example:
[0055] FIGS. 1 to 3 show different forms for packaging units in
cross section,
[0056] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through a packaging
unit,
[0057] FIG. 5 shows a packaging unit with a damping element on the
underside of the base part facing outwardly,
[0058] FIG. 6 shows a packaging unit with damping elements which
are each arranged in the head-side wall parts and encloses the
anchoring of the retaining elements,
[0059] FIG. 7 shows a packaging unit with damping elements which
enclose the retaining element and are arranged at the ends of the
winding core,
[0060] FIG. 8 shows a packaging unit with an air cushion around a
packaged glass roll in the lower region,
[0061] FIG. 9 shows a packaging unit with an air tire around the
entire periphery of a packaged glass roll,
[0062] FIG. 10 shows a packaging unit as a clean space for a
packaged glass roll,
[0063] FIG. 11 shows a unit of two packaging units, which have been
arranged in a modular manner,
[0064] FIG. 12 shows a cross section for a supporting spindle with
fitted winding core, and
[0065] FIG. 13 shows an alternative cross section for a supporting
spindle.
[0066] FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 show a rectangular packaging unit, FIG. 1
in cross section and FIG. 4 in longitudinal section. The glass roll
30 illustrated in FIG. 4 is enclosed by the wall parts of the
packaging unit, such as the head parts 121 and 123, the base part
13, the side parts 141 and 142, and the top part 15. Here, all wall
parts apart from the head part 123 are fixedly interconnected,
whereas the head part 123 is removable in order to load and remove
the glass roll. Alternatively, the wall parts may also be fixedly
interconnected or removable in another combination, wherein wall
parts may also belong separably in part to the removable part of
the packaging unit and in part to the fixedly connected part of the
packaging unit. To transport or set down the packaging unit, it is
connected loosely or fixedly to a transport pallet 28 via the base
part 13. For transport by means of a hoisting tool, retaining eyes
16 are provided on the top part 15. To receive a glass roll, a
retaining element is connected on the head-side wall part, that is
to say the head part 121, to the anchoring 122. The retaining
element in this embodiment is a continuous supporting spindle 181.
The anchoring is designed in such a way that the supporting spindle
181 can receive the glass roll 30, when loaded horizontally, over
its entire length and can support the glass roll in a manner
mounted on one side. The anchoring 122 is connected in a
force-locked manner, for example via screwed connections, to the
head part 121 and optionally also to the top part 15, the side
parts 141, 142 and the base part 13, or is also installed in the
packaging unit in a form-locked manner. To fix the glass roll 30 on
the supporting spindle 181, fixing rings 171, 172 are provided
adjacently to the anchorings 122, 124. The fixing rings are made of
a stable material, such as wood, plastic or metal, and hold the
winding core, where applicable with the glass rolled on, securely
against axial shifting during transport. The fixing rings may also
consist of a compressible material, which is suitable for fixing
the winding core between the two fixing rings.
[0067] To close the packaging unit, the removable wall part or
alternatively the removable wall parts is/are connected to the
other wall parts. This can be implemented by all known measures,
for example screwing, anchoring, bracing, hooking or locking. The
removable head-side wall part consists of the head part 123 with
the anchoring 124 for the retaining element 182. The retaining
element 182 in this embodiment is a peg, which engages in a
matching recess at the end of the supporting spindle 181 and
supports the supporting spindle 181 on this side, with the result
that the supporting spindle is mounted from two sides in the closed
packaging unit. Furthermore, a fixing ring 172 for fixing the
winding core 191 is fastened to the anchoring 124. Alternatively,
the fixing ring may also be slid over the periphery of the peg.
[0068] For loading, the glass roll 30 with the winding core 191 can
also be introduced vertically into the packaging unit. In this
case, the packaging unit is set down on the head part 121, with the
glass roll loaded, with the head part 123 closed, with the result
that the winding core 191 is trapped between the retaining
elements. The packaging unit is then rotated by 90.degree. and
supported on the base part 13. It is advantageous here that the
anchoring 122 only has to be designed to be stable enough to carry
and support the glass roll as part of a two-sided mounting. The
packaging unit can thus be designed so as to be smaller and
lighter.
[0069] FIGS. 2 and 3 show alternatively the cross section of two
cylindrical packaging units, wherein the side parts 143, 144 are
cylindrical and the head parts in each case are round. To support
the packaging units, support elements 293 and 294, 295, 296
respectively are provided on the outer face. The packaging units
rest on a base plate 291, 292, in a manner secured by the support
elements.
[0070] FIG. 5 shows a packaging unit corresponding to FIG. 4 with a
damping element 20 on the underside of the base part facing
outwardly. In this case, the damping element is an oscillation
damping plate lying beneath the base part over the entire surface.
Alternatively, two strips are also provided beneath the side parts
141, 142. The oscillation damping plate is designed in a manner
corresponding to a safety mat made of rubber granulate. It is thus
possible to effectively prevent impacts or oscillations, which act
from beneath on the packaging unit, from being transferred
inadmissibly to the packaging unit and from being transferred via
said packaging unit into a glass roll to be transported.
[0071] FIG. 6 shows a packaging unit corresponding to FIG. 4 with
damping elements which are each arranged in the head-side wall
parts and enclose the anchoring of the retaining elements. The
damping elements are rectangular in the shape of the interior of
the anchoring. The anchoring 125 is formed without transverse
struts and contains damping elements 201, 202, which enclose the
extension of the supporting spindle 181. In addition, oscillation
damping plates may also be provided between the anchoring 125 and
one or more wall parts 13, 15, 121, 141, 142.
[0072] An annular damping element is arranged in the anchoring
plate 125 on the removable head side of the wall and encloses the
retaining element 182, here in the form of a peg. The damping
element may also be rectangular in this case. The damping element
consists of a rubber/metal compound or alternatively also of a pure
rubber compound. An oscillation decoupling of the retaining element
and a glass roll can thus be implemented wholly or at least in
part, and impacts or oscillations acting primarily perpendicularly
or at an incline, or also impacts or oscillations acting parallel
to the axis of a retaining element on the packaging unit, are
effectively prevented from being transferred via the retaining
element into a glass roll to be transported.
[0073] FIG. 7 shows a packaging unit corresponding to FIG. 4 with
damping elements which each enclose the retaining elements or the
retaining element. The retaining element in the illustrated
embodiment is a continuous supporting spindle 183. During loading,
this is mounted on one side in the anchoring 122. In the closed
packaging unit, the supporting spindle 183 by contrast is mounted
on both sides and is additionally held and supported by the
retaining element 184, that is to say a peg which engages in the
end of the supporting spindle 183. The retaining element 184 is
held in the anchoring 126, which, together with the head part 123,
is part of the head-side wall element. In particular at the points
where each of the ends of a winding core are mounted, the
supporting spindle 183 is enclosed in each case by a damping
element, such as the damping rings 204, 205, which then act as
impact dampers and/or oscillation dampers between the supporting
spindle and winding core. Further segments of the supporting
spindle however may also be enclosed by damping elements, or the
entire supporting spindle may also be enclosed by a damping
material. The damping material is a rubber/metal compound or
alternatively a pure rubber compound. Impacts or oscillations can
thus effectively be prevented from being transferred via the
retaining element into a glass roll to be transported.
[0074] Alternatively, a peg-shaped supporting spindle which engages
in the cavity of the winding core and supports the winding core may
also be arranged on each head side of the packaging unit as a
retaining element. The supporting spindles are then accordingly
enclosed wholly or partially by a damping ring.
[0075] FIG. 8 show a packaging unit corresponding to FIG. 4 with an
air cushion 21 around a packaged glass roll 30 in the lower region,
and FIG. 9 shows a packaging unit corresponding to FIG. 4 with an
air cushion 22 as an air tire around the entire periphery of a
packaged glass roll 30. The air cushions can each be inflated
individually from the outside via a valve (not illustrated). For
transport, the air cushions are filled with air and a defined
pressure is set, which can be controlled where necessary and is
monitored. By adjusting and selecting the pressure inside the air
cushions 21, 22 and the resultant compressibility of the cushions,
an adjustable force can act on the glass roll and the layers
thereof and prevents displacement of the layers of the glass roll
with respect to one another. On the other hand, the air cushion
acts as a damping element, and the compressibility prevents impacts
and oscillations, which act on the glass roll, from damaging the
glass roll. To unload the packaging unit, the air is let out or
sucked out via the valve.
[0076] FIG. 10 shows a packaging unit corresponding to FIG. 5 as a
clean space for a packaged glass roll. The packaging unit in this
embodiment is designed and closed in a gas-tight manner. Once the
packaging unit has been loaded and closed, a negative pressure or a
vacuum is drawn in the interior via a valve (not illustrated), and
the space is then filled with a clean gas, such as nitrogen or
carbon dioxide, thus producing a clean space 23. The relative air
humidity is set in a range from 5-15%. The pressure in the interior
of the packaging unit can be controlled and is set such that it is
slightly above ambient pressure. An infiltration in particular of
contaminated or moist ambient air is thus prevented, as is
necessary primarily with problematic transport or storage
conditions or corresponding risks or with sensitive, usually
coated, glass. Alternatively, drying means are provided in the
packaging unit.
[0077] FIG. 11 shows a unit of two packaging units, which have been
arranged in a modular manner. For this purpose, a base plate 24 is
arranged beneath the packaging unit, corner supports 25 being
attached at each of the corners of said base plate and being able
to engage in centering elements on the upper face of the packaging
unit when the packaging units are stacked. The corner supports and
centering elements are each advantageously formed so as to engage
conically in one another for this purpose. In order to prevent
oscillation or vibration of the packaging units caused by
deflection, a plurality of middle supports 26 are arranged on the
base plate 24 depending on requirements and are supported on the
base or on the top part of the packaging unit. All other
possibilities known to a person skilled in the art for stacking in
a manner secured against shifting are also conceivable,
however.
[0078] Devices (not illustrated) which also make it possible to
interconnect the packaging units standing side by side may also be
provided laterally on the packaging units. Here, all possibilities
known to a person skilled in the art for locking, plugging,
hooking, and the like, can be used. On the whole, a fixed
interconnection of packaging units is to be created, which avoids a
collision or knocking of the packaging units against one another
during a common transport process. In particular, damping elements
made of a rubber compound or cork are arranged on the contact or
supporting faces of the packaging units, or the supports themselves
are formed as buffer elements made of a rubber/metal compound.
[0079] FIG. 12 shows the cross section of a supporting spindle 185
with fitted winding core. At its upper periphery, the supporting
spindle has a recess adjoined by two contact faces 311, 312 for the
winding core, of which the diameter is adapted such that maximum
support of the winding core is enabled.
[0080] Alternatively, a supporting spindle corresponding to FIG. 13
may also be used, in which the bearing faces 313, 314 are adapted
to the radius of the winding core. In order to be able to load and
unload the winding core with the rolled-up glass easily in the
packaging unit, the cross section of the retaining element 186,
here a supporting spindle, is kept small. The bearing faces 313,
314 are formed by damping elements 206, 207, which extend axially
along the receiving faces 321, 322 of the supporting spindle 186
for the winding core 193. It is advantageous in this embodiment
that a greater support surface can be provided for the winding core
and that the compressive or bending stress in the glass roll is
reduced. Due to the damping elements, a transfer of impacts and
oscillations can be reduced or decoupled.
[0081] Alternatively, all conceivable shapes for the cross section
of a retaining element are possible.
[0082] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to
a combination of features described above, but that a person
skilled in the art can combine all features of the invention
arbitrarily, in so far as this is expedient.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
TABLE-US-00001 [0083] (1A, 1B) rectangular packaging unit (2) round
packaging unit with supports (3) round packaging unit with
retaining frame (4) packaging unit with damping element beneath the
base part (5) packaging unit with damping elements enclosing the
retaining element anchorings (6) packaging unit with damping
elements enclosing the supporting spindle (7A, 7B) packaging unit
with an air cushion in the lower region (8A, 8B) packaging unit
with an air tire enclosing the glass roll (9) packaging unit as a
clean space (10) module formed from a plurality of packaging units
(121, 123) wall part, head part (122, 124, 125, 126) wall part,
retaining element anchorings in the head part (13) wall part, base
part (141, 142) wall part, rectangular side part (143, 144) wall
part, cylindrical side part (15) wall part, top part (16) retaining
eyes (171, 172) fixing ring (181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186)
retaining element (191, 192, 193) winding core (20, 201, 202, 203,
204, 205, damping element 206, 207) (21) air cushion (22) air tire
(23) clean space (24) base plate (25) corner support (26) middle
support (27) centering element (28) transport pallet (291, 292)
base plate (293, 294, 295, 296) support element (30) glass roll
(311, 312, 313, 314) bearing faces (321, 322) receiving faces
* * * * *