U.S. patent application number 15/030146 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-01 for winding rod for reels of web material and a winding machine using said rod.
The applicant listed for this patent is A. CELLI PAPER S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Giuseppe ANTONINI, Giacomo AVAGLIANO, Mauro CELLI.
Application Number | 20160251197 15/030146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49780160 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160251197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AVAGLIANO; Giacomo ; et
al. |
September 1, 2016 |
WINDING ROD FOR REELS OF WEB MATERIAL AND A WINDING MACHINE USING
SAID ROD
Abstract
The winding rod (A) comprises a longitudinal body (15) extending
from a first end to a second end of the rod. It also comprises
expandable elements (33) distributed around a longitudinal axis of
the longitudinal body and at least one pressurization circuit for
expanding said expandable elements. The expandable elements (33)
are distributed in a first group of expandable elements and a
second group of expandable elements, arranged in end portions of
the longitudinal body, which also comprises an intermediate portion
devoid of expandable elements.
Inventors: |
AVAGLIANO; Giacomo;
(Porcari, IT) ; ANTONINI; Giuseppe; (Lido di
Camaiore, IT) ; CELLI; Mauro; (Lucca, IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
A. CELLI PAPER S.P.A. |
Capannori |
|
IT |
|
|
Family ID: |
49780160 |
Appl. No.: |
15/030146 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
October 15, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2014/065341 |
371 Date: |
April 18, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/571.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 18/04 20130101;
B65H 75/243 20130101; B65H 2301/41342 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/24 20060101
B65H075/24; B65H 18/04 20060101 B65H018/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 18, 2013 |
IT |
FI2013A000249 |
Claims
1. A winding rod for winding reels of web material, the winding rod
comprising: a longitudinal body extending from a first end to a
second end, expandable elements distributed around a longitudinal
axis of the longitudinal body; at least one pressurization circuit
for expanding said expandable elements, wherein the expandable
elements are distributed in a first group of expandable elements
and a second group of expandable elements, arranged in end portions
of the longitudinal body, said longitudinal body comprising an
intermediate portion devoid of expandable elements, the
longitudinal body of the winding rod comprising a first shaft and a
second shaft and a tubular element placed between the first shaft
and the second shaft and torsionally and axially constrained to
said first shaft and said second shaft, so as to form said
longitudinal body, the first shaft and the second shaft being
fitted respectively with a first longitudinal passage for a
pressurization fluid and a second longitudinal passage for a
pressurization fluid, said first longitudinal passage and said
second longitudinal passage being fluidly coupled to the first
group of expandable elements and the second group of expandable
elements, respectively.
2. A winding rod according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate
portion has a cylindrical outer surface with a diameter
substantially corresponding to a diameter of the end portions in
which the expandable elements are located.
3. A winding rod according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
pressurization circuit comprises a fluid connection from the first
group of expandable elements to the second group of expandable
elements and said at least one pressurization circuit has at least
one pressurization and de-pressurization valve, placed at one of
said first end or second end of the longitudinal body, by means of
which both the first group of expandable elements and the second
group of expandable elements can be pressurized.
4. A winding rod according to claim 1, wherein said expandable
elements are in a form of laths extending parallel to the
longitudinal body of the winding rod.
5. A winding rod according to claim 1, further comprising housings
for the first group of expandable elements and housings for the
second group of expandable elements.
6. A winding rod according to claim 5, wherein said housings are in
a form of longitudinal recesses distributed around the longitudinal
axis of the longitudinal body of the winding rod, and extending
parallel to said longitudinal axis.
7. A winding rod according to claim 6, wherein each of said
longitudinal recesses contains an air chamber, wherein inflation of
said air chamber causes a radial expansion of the expandable
elements.
8-9. (canceled)
10. A winding rod according to claim 1, wherein the first
longitudinal passage and the second longitudinal passage are flow
connected to one another by means of an intermediate conduit
extending longitudinally inside an intermediate portion of the
winding rod.
11. A winding rod according to claim 1, wherein said tubular
element is made of carbon fibers.
12. A winding rod according to claim 1, wherein the first
longitudinal passage and the second longitudinal passage are
fluidly coupled by means of a conduit extending longitudinally
inside the tubular element placed between the first shaft and the
second shaft.
13. A winding rod according to claim 1, wherein the first group of
expandable elements is mounted on the first shaft and the second
group of expandable elements is mounted on the second shaft.
14. A winding rod according to claim 1, wherein the first group of
expandable elements and the second group of expandable elements are
mounted at respective ends of the tubular element.
15. A winding rod according to claim 12, further comprising a
single air chamber for each group of expandable elements, wherein
inflation of said single chamber causes a radial expansion of
respective expandable elements.
16. A winding rod according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate
portion devoid of expandable elements extends for at least
two-thirds of the overall length of the winding rod, and preferably
for at least three-quarters of said overall length.
17. A winding rod for winding reels of web material, the winding
rod comprising: a longitudinal body extending from a first end to a
second end, expandable elements distributed around a longitudinal
axis of the longitudinal body; at least one pressurization circuit
for expanding said expandable elements, the expandable elements
being distributed in a first group of expandable elements and a
second group of expandable elements, arranged in end portions of
the longitudinal body, said longitudinal body comprising an
intermediate portion devoid of expandable elements, the
intermediate portion having a cylindrical outer surface with a
diameter substantially corresponding to a diameter of the end
portions in which the expandable elements are located, a first
longitudinal passage for a pressurization fluid and a second
longitudinal passage for a pressurization fluid being provided,
said first longitudinal passage and said second longitudinal
passage being fluidly coupled to the first group of expandable
elements and the second group of expandable elements respectively,
the first longitudinal passage and the second longitudinal passage
being flow connected to one another by means of an intermediate
conduit extending longitudinally inside said intermediate portion
of the winding rod.
18. A winding machine or re-winding machine comprising members for
winding a web material, a feed path for the web material and at
least one winding rod, said at least one winding rod comprising a
longitudinal body extending from a first end to a second end,
expandable elements distributed around a longitudinal axis of the
longitudinal body and at least one pressurization circuit for
expanding said expandable elements, wherein the expandable elements
are distributed in a first group of expandable elements and a
second group of expandable elements, arranged in end portions of
the longitudinal body, said longitudinal body comprising an
intermediate portion devoid of expandable elements, the
longitudinal body of the winding rod comprising a first shaft and a
second shaft and a tubular element placed between the first shaft
and the second shaft and torsionally and axially constrained to
said first shaft and said second shaft, so as to form said
longitudinal body, the first shaft and the second shaft being
fitted respectively with a first longitudinal passage for a
pressurization fluid and a second longitudinal passage for a
pressurization fluid, said first longitudinal passage and said
second longitudinal passage being fluidly coupled to the first
group of expandable elements and the second group of expandable
elements, respectively.
19. A machine according to claim 18, wherein the winding rod is a
peripheral winding means.
20. A winding rod according to claim 2, wherein said at least one
pressurization circuit comprises a fluid connection from the first
group of expandable elements to the second group of expandable
elements and said at least one pressurization circuit has at least
one pressurization and de-pressurization valve, placed at one of
said first end or second end of the longitudinal body, by means of
which both the first group of expandable elements and the second
group of expandable elements can be pressurized.
21. A winding rod according to claim 2, wherein said expandable
elements are in a form of laths extending parallel to the
longitudinal body of the winding rod.
22. A winding rod according to claim 3, wherein said expandable
elements are in a form of laths extending parallel to the
longitudinal body of the winding rod.
23. A winding rod according to claim 2, further comprising housings
for the first group of expandable elements and housings for the
second group of expandable elements.
24. A winding rod according to claim 23, wherein said housings are
in a form of longitudinal recesses distributed around the
longitudinal axis of the longitudinal body of the winding rod, and
extending parallel to said longitudinal axis.
25. A winding rod according to claim 24, wherein each of said
longitudinal recesses has an axial length that is less than half an
axial length of the rod, and each of said longitudinal recesses is
divided into two groups of longitudinal recesses, a first of said
two groups of longitudinal recesses extending from one of said
first end and second end and another one of said two groups of
longitudinal recesses extending from another one of said first end
and second end, a central portion of the winding rod being devoid
of said longitudinal recesses.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to improvements to machines
and systems for winding web material, particularly but not
exclusively for the production of reels of paper, tissue paper,
non-woven and similar articles of manufacture.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] In many industrial fields it is necessary to wind a
continuous web material to form reels intended for subsequent
processing for the production of finished products aimed at
consumers. In particular, in the paper manufacturing sector and in
the production of non-woven fabrics and similar products, winding
machines are used (so-called winders or rewinders) for the
production of, reels or rolls of web material wound around tubular
winding cores. These tubular winding cores are often mounted on a
spindle or winding rod, the ends of which are normally engaged by
gripping clamps or by pins, which the winding machine or rewinder
is fitted with. Normally, the tubular winding cores are produced by
cutting a tubular element and can come with different lengths, or
axial dimensions. Normally, several tubular winding cores aligned
with one another are mounted on a single winding rod. Onto each
tubular winding core a respective continuous strip of web material
is wound, which is obtained by longitudinally cutting a very wide
continuous web material. In general, therefore, several reels of
web material wound around respective tubular winding cores are
simultaneously formed around each winding rod or spindle.
[0003] The winding rod inserted inside the tubular winding cores is
usually provided, along its axial length, with expandable elements
distributed around the longitudinal axis of the rod. The expandable
elements are expanded pneumatically by means of a pressurization
circuit, so that they press against the inner surfaces of the
tubular winding cores in which the winding rod is inserted, to
axially clamp the tubular winding cores onto the winding rod.
[0004] Winding machines or rewinders that use winding rods inserted
inside tubular winding cores and axially clamped thereto are
disclosed, for example, in EP0747308, EP1070675, EP1375401 and
EP1375402.
[0005] Winding rods are subject to vibration during winding,
especially at high rotation speeds and in the final phase of reel
forming, because of the limited flexional stiffness of the winding
rods, in particular due to the presence of housings for the
expandable elements, which are needed to provide axial coupling
between the winding rod and the tubular winding cores.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] To achieve greater strength and flexional stiffness of the
winding rod, the expandable elements of the winding rod are
advantageously placed only in certain zones along the longitudinal
extension of the winding rod. Preferably, the expandable elements
are placed in the end portions, i.e. at the ends of the winding
rod, while a mainly predominant portion of its longitudinal length
does not have any expandable elements. In this manner, the
predominant central portion of the winding rod can be made using an
integral tubular element, i.e. without grooves, seats or cavities,
for housing the expandable elements, thereby achieving a stiffer,
stronger structure, as well as a substantial reduction in the
weight of the winding rod.
[0007] According to an embodiment, the winding rod comprises in
substance a longitudinal body extending from a first end to a
second end, expandable elements distributed around a longitudinal
axis of the longitudinal body, and at least one pressurization
circuit for expanding said expandable elements. Advantageously, the
expandable elements are distributed in a first group of expandable
elements and a second group of expandable elements, arranged in end
portions of the longitudinal body. The longitudinal body comprises
an intermediate portion without any expandable elements.
[0008] In advantageous embodiments, the pressurization circuit
comprises a conduit extending from the first group of expandable
elements to the second group of expandable elements and has at
least one pressurization and de-pressurization valve, placed at one
of the two ends of the longitudinal body. By means of the valve,
the first group of expandable elements and the second group of
expandable elements can be pressurized. In other embodiments, two
pressurization and de-pressurization valves can be provided, one at
each end of the winding rod. In this manner, the winding rod can be
used without needing to be oriented with respect to the
pressurization/de-pressurization system.
[0009] Advantageously, regardless of the number of pressurization
and de-pressurization valves, the pressurization circuit may
advantageously have a pneumatic connection between the first group
of expandable elements and the second group of expandable elements,
so that pressurization and de-pressurization of the winding rod can
be achieved by means of a single operation and through a single
valve.
[0010] In some embodiments, the expandable elements are in the form
of laths extending parallel to the longitudinal body of the winding
rod. For example, the winding rod may comprise housings for the
first group of expandable elements and housings for the second
group of expandable elements, said housings being in the form of
longitudinal recesses distributed around the axis of the
longitudinal body of the winding rod, and extending parallel to
said longitudinal axis for a fraction of the overall length of the
winding rod.
[0011] In some embodiments, the longitudinal body of the winding
rod may comprise: a first shaft on which the first group of
expandable elements is placed, and a second shaft on which the
second group of expandable elements is placed; a tubular element
arranged between the first shaft and the second shaft and
torsionally and axially constrained to said first shaft and to said
second shaft so as to form said longitudinal body.
[0012] In some embodiments, in order to achieve good mechanical
properties and limited weight for the winding rod, the tubular
element may be made of carbon fibers, for example by means of one
or more helical windings of carbon fibers or filaments in a
synthetic resin matrix.
[0013] In some embodiments, the winding rod may be fitted with a
first longitudinal passage for a pressurization fluid and a second
longitudinal passage for a pressurization fluid, these longitudinal
passages being fluidly coupled with the first group of expandable
elements and the second group of expandable elements, respectively.
The pressurization fluid may be a gas or a gas mixture. Preferably
the pressurization fluid may be air.
[0014] In some embodiments, the first longitudinal passage and the
second longitudinal passage are connected by means of a conduit
extending longitudinally inside an intermediate portion of the
winding rod.
[0015] When the winding rod comprises a first shaft and a second
shaft, the first longitudinal passage and the second longitudinal
passage can be located in the first shaft and in the second shaft,
respectively. Furthermore, the conduit connecting the two
longitudinal passages may extend longitudinally inside the tubular
element connecting the first shaft and the second shaft of the
tubular element placed between the first shaft and the second shaft
and preferably coaxial thereto.
[0016] At one or preferably at both ends of the winding rod
bushings may be idly mounted on the shafts which form the end
portions of the winding rod.
[0017] The invention also relates to a winding machine or rewinding
machine comprising members for winding a web material, a feed path
for the web material and at least one winding rod of the type
described above. The winding members are preferably peripheral
winding members. Furthermore, the possibility of using the winding
rods described in central winding systems, or in combined
(peripheral and central) winding systems, is not excluded. Those
skilled in the art will know that the term peripheral winding, or
surface winding, relates to a system of winding wherein the feed of
the material to be wound and the rotation movement of the reel or
roll being formed are achieved by means of members cooperating with
the outer surface of the roll or reel, for example by means of
winding rollers, winding belts and the like, or combinations
thereof. Conversely, a central winding system is a system wherein
the rotation movement is achieved through the winding rod around
which the reel or roll is being formed.
[0018] Further possible features are described hereunder with
reference to embodiments of the invention, and in the appended
claims, which form an integral part of the present description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will be better understood by following the
description and accompanying drawing, which shows a practical
embodiment of the invention. More specifically, in the drawing:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a rewinding machine in which a
winding rod according to the present disclosure can be used;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a winding rod in a possible
embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a cross section according to in FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 shows an enlargement of detail IV in FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of the detail indicated by V in
FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 6 shows an enlargement of the detail indicated by VI in
FIG. 2;
[0026] FIGS. 7 and 8 show transversal cross sections along the
lines VII-VII and VIII-VIII in FIG. 6;
[0027] FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal cross section of one end of a
rod in another embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 10 shows a view according to X-X in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The following detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference
numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar
elements. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to
scale. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the
invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the
appended claims.
[0030] Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" means that the particular
feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with
an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject
matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in one
embodiment" or "in an embodiment" or "in some embodiments" in
various places throughout the specification is not necessarily
referring to the same embodiment(s). Further, the particular
features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any
suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0031] FIG. 1 schematically shows a rewinding machine with three
rollers that can use the winding rod according to the invention.
The rewinding machine, indicated as a whole by reference number 1,
comprises an upper winding roller 3, which is movable in the
direction shown by the double arrow f3 so as to move towards and
away from a winding cradle formed by a second winding roller 5 and
a third winding roller 7. FIG. 1 shows a reel or roll R during
winding around a respective tubular winding core C, wherein a
winding rod A in inserted. As noted above, generally several
tubular winding cores C are inserted on the winding rod A, and
therearound several reels or rolls R are formed in parallel or
simultaneously.
[0032] The web material to be wound, shown at N, is fed around the
third winding roller 7 and is wound around the roll or reel R due
to the rotation movement imparted to the roll or reel R by the
winding rollers 3, 5 and 7. The upper winding roller 3 is gradually
raised in the direction of arrow f3 to move away from the winding
cradle formed by the rollers 5, 7 as the diameter of the roll or
reel R increases until winding has been completed.
[0033] The improvements that are the object of the present
disclosure relate particularly to the configuration of the winding
rod A, of which an exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.
Experts in the field will understand from reading the present
description that the winding rod may also be used in winding
machines or rewinding machines with a configuration different from
the one schematically shown by way of example in FIG. 1. The
winding rod described below can be used in all applications,
wherein it is necessary to insert the winding rod inside one or
more tubular winding cores and to axially block the winding rod to
the tubular winding core(s) by means of expandable elements, which
the winding rod is fitted with.
[0034] The winding rod A as a whole is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a
side view and in a longitudinal cross-section view, respectively.
The winding rod A comprises a substantially cylindrical
longitudinal body of length L. The ends of the winding rod may be
fitted with bushings 11, 13 idly mounted by means of bearings onto
the longitudinal body of the winding rod A, indicated as a whole by
reference number 15.
[0035] The longitudinal body 15 of the winding rod A may comprise
an intermediate portion 17, preferably with a hollow tubular shape,
hereinafter referred to as tubular element 17. In some embodiments
the tubular element 17 may be made of carbon fibers, for example by
means of helical winding of continuous carbon filaments in a
synthetic resin matrix.
[0036] In some embodiments the intermediate portion 17 and
respective end portions 19, 21 of the longitudinal body 15 of the
winding rod A may have substantially the same external
diameter.
[0037] In FIG. 2 the length of the longitudinal body 15 is labeled
L, while the total length of the winding rod A is labeled LA, and
the length of the tubular element 17 is labeled L17. In some
embodiments the length L17 may be more than half the overall length
L of the longitudinal body 15 of the winding rod A and preferably
more than half the overall length LA of the winding rod A. In some
embodiments the length L17 may be equal to or greater than 2/3 and
even more preferably equal to or greater than 3/4 of the length L
of the longitudinal body of the winding rod and the overall length
LA of the winding rod.
[0038] In the embodiment shown, the tubular element 17 is
torsionally and axially constrained at both ends to two respective
end portions, hereinafter referred to as shafts 19 and 21. In some
embodiments the shafts 19 and 21 may be fixed to the intermediate
tubular element 17 by means of radial screws 23. In other
embodiments, the coupling between the shafts 19, 21 and the
intermediate tubular element 17 may be achieved in a different
manner, for example by gluing. In the example shown (FIG. 2),
coupling between the intermediate tubular element 17 and the shafts
19, 21 is made on a cylindrical interface surface. In other
embodiments, particularly if the fixing is by means of gluing,
conical mutual coupling surfaces may be provided.
[0039] As will become clearer below, the expandable elements, which
the winding rod A is fitted with, are arranged solely on shafts 19
and 21, while the intermediate tubular element 17 does not have any
expandable elements and therefore has a structure formed of a
hollow cylindrical body with a circular cross-section, which is
substantially integral, apart from the radial holes for screws 23,
if present. The holes are placed only near the end zones of the
intermediate tubular element 17 and all together take up a limited
fraction of its length, for example less than a quarter, and
preferably less than a sixth, of the length of the intermediate
tubular element 17.
[0040] In some embodiments, the first shaft 19 is fitted with a
first fluid passage 25. In some embodiments, the second shaft 21 is
fitted with a second fluid passage 27, as well. The two fluid
passages 25 and 27 may be connected to one another by means of a
conduit 29 extending from one to the other of the shafts 19 and 21,
extending longitudinally through the entire intermediate tubular
element 17. The conduit 29 is preferably of a length greater than
the intermediate tubular element 17 and is housed in the latter
forming bends or a helix. In this way, assembly and disassembly of
the individual components of the rod is simplified.
[0041] The two fluid passages 25 and 27 are fluidly coupled with
expandable elements, wherewith the two shafts 19 and 21
respectively are fitted. The expandable elements provided on the
shafts 19 and 21 may be substantially the same as one another. Here
below a description is provided, of the configuration of the
expandable elements that shaft 19 is fitted with, shown in detail
in FIG. 4, it being understood that the expandable elements mounted
on the shaft 21 may be substantially the same.
[0042] In some embodiments the expandable elements extend
longitudinally parallel to the axis A-A of the winding rod A. In
some embodiments the shaft 19 (and similarly shaft 21) has
longitudinal housings, labeled 31, in which the respective
expandable elements 33 are housed. In some embodiments a plurality
of expandable elements 33 may be provided and distributed around
the axis A-A of the winding rod A, with a preferably constant
angular pitch. For example, six expandable elements 33 can be
provided.
[0043] In some embodiments, as best shown in FIG. 4, each
expandable element 33 comprises a longitudinal lath 35, housed in a
respective housing 31. Each lath 35 is associated with an
inflatable member, for example an air chamber 37, placed in the
housing 31, between the bottom of the housing 31 and the respective
lath 35. Each air chamber or inflatable member 37 is in fluid
connection with the fluid passage 25, for example by means of at
least one, preferably radial hole 39.
[0044] In some embodiments, each lath 35 is fixed to the inside of
the housing 31, in the manner described in more detail below. With
this arrangement, by pressurizing the fluid passage 25 in the
manner described below, the fluid pressure in the inflatable member
or air chamber 37 causes the radially outward flexional deformation
of each lath 35 and therefore, if the winding rod A is inserted
inside one or more tubular winding cores C, the mutual coupling
between the winding rod A and the tubular winding cores C due to
the effect of friction between the laths 35 and the inner surface
of the tubular winding core. The laths 35 can also be fitted with
spring elements 47 to ensure that the laths return to their rest
position when the pressure inside the air chambers 37 is
released.
[0045] As can be seen in particular in the sections shown in FIGS.
7 and 8, the laths 35 may have a transversal cross section in the
form of an upturned T, or a dovetail, or another suitable shape, so
as to be radially held inside the respective housings 31 which,
like the laths 35, have a T-shape cross section or similar so as to
form an undercut to prevent the radial escape of the laths 35.
[0046] In some embodiments, insertion of the laths 35 into the
respective housings 31 is achieved by means of a widened portion of
the housings 31, indicated by 31A (see in particular FIG. 6), and
thanks to the flexibility of the laths 35. Once inserted into their
respective housing 31, each lath 35 is axially held therein by
means of a bracket 41 fixed with respective screws 41A to the
corresponding shaft 17 or 19. At the end of each lath 35, opposite
the end in contact with the bracket 41, a block 45 and a plate 46
are inserted into the respective housing 31. The block 45 has
tightening members, for example grub screws 45A, by means of which
the respective plate 46 is pushed radially inwards and pressed
against the end of the air chamber 37 to create an air-tight seal.
The opposite end of the air chamber is closed by compression by
means of the respective bracket 41 and screw 41A. To that end, the
bracket 41 has a tooth 41B pressing against the air chamber 37.
[0047] In some embodiments, at least one of the two ends of the
winding rod A may be provided with a valve, schematically indicated
by reference number 49 in FIG. 5, for pressurizing the pneumatic
circuit contained in the winding rod and comprising the fluid
passages 25, 27, the conduit 29, the radial holes 39 and the
inflatable members or air chambers 37. By means of the valve 49,
the entire pneumatic circuit can be pressurized, radially deforming
outwards the laths 35 mounted on the shaft 19 and the corresponding
laths, again labeled number 35 and shown schematically in FIG. 3,
mounted on the second shaft 21.
[0048] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the valve 49 may be mounted at one
end of the shaft 19 forming part of the longitudinal body 15 of the
winding rod A. This end portion is surrounded by the first bushing
11 idly mounted by means of a bearing 51 on the shaft 19. Suitable
seals 53 and 55 may protect the bearing 51, preventing dirt from
getting in and/or lubricating grease from leaking out. In this
manner the bushing 11 can rotate freely around the axis A-A of the
winding rod A and can perform the normal functions assigned to
these members even in known types of winding rods.
[0049] The opposite bushing 13 is mounted in the same way on the
end formed by the shaft 21. This second end could be fitted with a
second inflation or pressurization valve, similar to the valve 49,
if the winding rod A is configured to be used independently of its
orientation, i.e. when the winding rod is configured to be
pressurized indifferently either from one end or the other.
However, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the winding rod
is an asymmetric type, with a single pressurization valve 49 at one
end, corresponding to the bushing 11, while at the other end the
fluid passage 27 made by the shaft 21 may be closed. Closure of the
fluid passage 27 may be achieved by means of the same bushing
13.
[0050] In the example shown in the drawing, the bushing 13 is
fitted with a gripping head 13A. In some embodiments, the gripping
head 13A may be omitted. In other embodiments, also the bushing 11
may be fitted with a similar gripping or expansion head, not
illustrated.
[0051] The configuration described above provides a winding rod A
that is mainly formed of the intermediate tubular element 17, which
may be made with a structure with high flexional stiffness, though
very light, without notches or grooves at least in the central
section thereof, thanks to the fact that the expandable elements 33
are all confined to the zone defined by the first shaft 19 and by
the second shaft 21 or at the ends of the element 17.
[0052] The mainly preponderant part of the longitudinal body 15 of
the winding rod A therefore has a much greater flexional stiffness
than traditional winding rods, which have longitudinal recesses for
housing the expandable elements extending all along their length.
In this case, on the other hand, the length L17 of the intermediate
tubular element 17 may even occupy more than 3/4 of the overall
length LA of the winding rod A, so that the latter has greater
stiffness and a reduced tendency to vibrate when spinning rapidly
to form rolls or reels R around the tubular winding cores C placed
on the winding rod A and axially blocked thereon.
[0053] FIGS. 9 and 10 show another embodiment, limited to an end
portion of the rod. Identical or corresponding parts are indicated
with the same reference numbers.
[0054] In this exemplary embodiment, the two shafts 19, 21 (of
which only shaft 19 is shown in the drawing) are of very limited
length and simply form a sort of connection element between the
respective bushings 11, 13 and a central tubular element, here
labeled 117. The central tubular element 117 may be made
substantially in the same way as the tubular element 17, for
example with carbon fiber. However, unlike the previously described
embodiment, in FIGS. 9 and 10 the expandable elements (again
labeled 33) are placed in slots 34 made in the tubular wall of the
central tubular element 117. In some embodiments the expandable
elements 33 are mounted on plates or other supports 36, interposed
between the inner surface of the central tubular element 117 and an
air chamber 137, which may be single and common for all the
expandable elements 33 at each end of the the rod A.
[0055] Each air chamber 137 may be inflated by means of a valve 49
and a conduit or fluid passage 25, fitted on each end of the rod A.
In some embodiments, the two air chambers 137 placed at the two
ends of the rod A may be connected by a conduit 29, in a manner
similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In this
manner, inflation can be achieved indifferently from either of the
two ends of the rod A, if there are valves 49 at both ends, or from
one end only, if the other end has no valve.
[0056] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the
drawings have been discussed in detail as examples of embodiment of
the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that many
modifications, variants, additions and omissions are possible,
without departing from the principles, concepts and teachings of
the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore,
the scope of the invention must be determined purely on the basis
of the broadest interpretation of the appended claims, comprising
these modifications, variants, additions and omissions therein. The
term "comprise" and derivatives thereof do not exclude the presence
of further elements or steps besides those specifically indicated
in a given claim. The term "a" or "an" preceding an element, means
or characteristic of a claim does not exclude the presence of a
plurality of these elements, means or characteristics. When a
device claim lists a plurality of "means", some or all of these
"means" can be implemented by a single component, member or
structure. The stating of given elements, features or means in
distinct dependent claims does not exclude the possibility of said
elements, features or means being combined with one another. When a
method claim lists a sequence of steps, the sequence in which these
steps are listed is not binding, and can be modified, if the
particular sequence is not indicated as binding. Any reference
numbers in the appended claims are provided to facilitate reading
of the claims with reference to the description and to the drawing,
and do not limit the scope of protection represented by the
claims.
* * * * *