U.S. patent number 3,812,640 [Application Number 05/295,131] was granted by the patent office on 1974-05-28 for method and apparatus for packaging wire mesh material.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Coatings Engineering Corporation. Invention is credited to James M. Knott.
United States Patent |
3,812,640 |
Knott |
May 28, 1974 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING WIRE MESH MATERIAL
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for rolling wire mesh
material such as "hex poultry netting." According to the subject
method the mesh material is cut forming an edge defined by a
plurality of sharp wire ends. After a roll is formed, the edge is
affixed to the body thereof to prevent unrolling and a cover is
applied over the wire ends.
Inventors: |
Knott; James M. (Wellesley,
MA) |
Assignee: |
Coatings Engineering
Corporation (South Natick, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
23136341 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/295,131 |
Filed: |
October 5, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/397; 53/119;
53/415; 53/416; 53/435; 53/520; 53/585; 206/497; 53/135.1; 53/430;
53/442; 53/557; 206/410 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21F
33/002 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B21F
33/00 (20060101); R65b 063/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/21FW,118,119,214,139.3,14,137 ;206/59R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGehee; Travis S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Toupal; John E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for rolling mesh material and securing the outer end
thereof and comprising the steps of:
withdrawing a given length of wire mesh material from a source
supplying a strip thereof;
cutting through said strip of mesh material so as to separate
therefrom said given length and form thereon an edge comprised of a
plurality of strand ends;
rolling said given length to form a roll with said edge as an outer
end;
fastening said edge to said roll so as to prevent unrolling
thereof; and
applying a material to said roll so as to cover said strand
ends.
2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of
preforming said mesh material to impart a longitudinal curve
thereto to reduce unrolling stresses.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said fastening step
includes fastening the full length of said edge to said roll.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said fastening step and
said applying step comprise a simultaneous packaging step.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said fastening and
applying steps comprise locating an area of said mesh material that
will be adjacent said edge when said rolling is completed, applying
to the inner surface of said area a strip of flexible material with
a first surface that is in contact with said inner surface;
applying to the periphery of said roll a second strip of flexible
material with a second surface so that said second strip spans said
area and covers said strand ends and creating a bond between said
second surface and said first surface through interstices in said
mesh material.
6. A method according to claim 5 including the step of inserting
between said first and second surfaces a removal means that can be
actuated to break said bond and release said edge.
7. A method according to claim 5 wherein both of said surfaces
comprise pressure sensitive adhesive.
8. A method according to claim 5 wherein said flexible materials
comprise strips of thermoplastic material and said bonds are
created by applying heat to said thermoplastic material.
9. A method according to claim 4 wherein said material comprises a
strip with clamping means projecting therefrom; and said packaging
step comprises the step of locating an area of said mesh that will
be adjacent said edge when rolling is completed, positioning said
strip over said area with said clamping means projecting through
interstices therein, displacing said clamping means so as to clamp
said outer end to said area and cover said strand ends.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said strip is metallic
and said clamping means comprise teeth projecting therefrom; and
said displacing step comprises bending said teeth over said strand
ends.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said positioning step
comprises disposing said strip over the inner surface of said area
with said teeth projecting through interstices in said area and
through interstices directly adjacent said edge.
12. A method according to claim 4 wherein said packaging step
comprises sandwiching said edge between a layer of mesh material
adjacent thereto and a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive
tape.
13. A method according to claim 4 wherein said packaging step
comprises enclosing said edge and an adjacent portion of said mesh
material in plastic material.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said fastening step
comprises tucking one of said strand ends into the roll of mesh
material and said applying step comprises applying said material
around a periphery of said roll and over said edge.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said material is heat
shrinkable and said applying step comprises applying heat to cause
said material to shrink tightly over said edge.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said heat shrinkable
material is tubular and encloses said roll of mesh material.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said heat shrinkable
material comprises polyethylene film.
18. Apparatus for rolling mesh material and securing the outer end
thereof and comprising:
supply means for supplying a strip of mesh material;
cutting means for separating a given length from the strip of mesh
material so as to form an edge defined by a plurality of strand
ends;
spindle means for rolling said given length to form a roll with
said edge as an outer end; and
packaging means for applying to said edge a material that covers
said strand ends.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 including a preformer means for
imparting a longitudinal curve to said given length so as to reduce
unrolling stresses.
20. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said packaging means
comprises locating means for locating an area of said given length
that will be adjacent to said edge when rolling is completed, first
applicator means for applying a first flexible strip of material
with a first surface to the inside of said area, second applicator
means for applying a second strip of flexible material with a
second surface to the periphery of said roll so that said second
strip covers said edge and said first surface and bonding means to
bond said second surface to said first surface through interstices
in said area of said given length.
21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein both of said
interactive surfaces comprise pressure sensitive adhesive and said
bonding means comprises pressure means.
22. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said material is heat
shrinkable and said apparatus further comprises heating means for
heating said material.
23. Apparatus according to claim 22 comprising a preformer means
for imparting a longitudinal curve to said given length so as to
reduce unrolling stresses.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for rolling wire
mesh material, such as "poultry wire", and, more particularly, to
securing the outer ends of the rolls to prevent unrolling and
covering the sharp wire ends that are produced when the mesh
material is cut.
In the manufacture of wire fabric, such as, for example, hex wire
netting, the netting is produced by a forming machine from single
strands of wire and is discharged from the machine in a continuous
strip of predetermined width with selvage edges. Common practice is
to wind predetermined lengths of the wire fabric strip as it comes
from the forming machine into coils or rolls. After the desired
length is wound on an arbor to form a tightly wound roll, the
fabric strip is cut transversely producing an edge including sharp
wire ends. It is desirable that these wire ends be rendered
harmless and and that the cut edge be secured to prevent unwinding
of the roll. Accordingly, it is customary to "tuck" the projecting
sharp wire ends through interstices in the underlying layers of
netting. This tucking operation performs two functions. First, the
trailing or outer edge is securely affixed to the roll to prevent
unwinding, and second, the dangerously sharp wire points are safely
hidden within the body of the roll. Thus, tucking produces a
securely formed firm roll that can be conveniently handled.
Inasmuch as each of the cut wire ends is individually tucked, the
tucking operation is time consuming and substantially reduces the
efficiency of the high speed forming machines which are stopped
during tucking operations. In addition, individually tucked strand
ends often come loose during shipment with resulting snagging
between rolls. Although some attempts have been made to alleviate
these problems, none has been successful.
The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an efficient
method for both securing the outer edges of rolls of mesh material
and rendering harmless all the sharp wire ends thereon. It is a
further object that the method be amenable to automation and to
provide apparatus for practicing the subject method.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is characterized by a method for rolling wire mesh
material and securing and covering the outer end of the resulting
roll. A measured quantity of wire mesh material, such as "chicken
wire", is cut from a continuous supply of mesh material as might
emerge from a forming machine. The measured quantity is rolled and
one of the cut edges, comprised of a plurality of sharp cut wire
points, then becomes an outer end. The outer end is securely
fastened to the body of the roll to prevent unrolling and the sharp
wire ends are covered for safety and to prevent snagging on other
rolls during transit.
A preferred method of fastening and covering the wire ends includes
the following steps. An area of the mesh material is located that
will be adjacent to the outer end when rolling is completed. Next a
strip of flexible material is applied to the inside of this area.
After rolling is completed, another strip of similar material is
applied to the periphery of the roll spanning the area covered by
the first strip of material and enclosing the outer end of the
roll. Thus, the cut edge and a portion of the layer of mesh
material therebeneath are sandwiched between two strips of flexible
material. The flexible material can be, for example, two strips of
pressure sensitive adhesive tape that will interact through
interstices in the mesh material thus securely sticking to each
other and firmly holding the outer end in place. Or, the flexible
material can be strips of thermoplastic material, in which case
bonds are produced by piercing both strips with heated rods that
pass through the interstices thus melting portions of the plastic
and forming discrete bonds. It should be noted that this method is
most efficient when used in conjunction with mesh material with
large openings that provide substantial contact area between the
flexible strips.
One feature of the method is the insertion of a wire between the
flexible strips during packaging that facilitates opening as
follows. The outer edge is securely fastened to the roll only if
the flexible strips are firmly fastened together, but such firm
cohesion makes removal difficult. When the subject wire is included
in the packaging, and the time for unrolling has come, the wire is
forcibly removed from between the flexible strips so as to pass
between, and thus separate them. Consequently, the unrolling
operation is performed more quickly and easily.
Another preferred method employs a strip of metallic material with
large surface area malleable teeth projecting substantially
perpendicularly therefrom. The strip is applied to the inside of an
area that will be adjacent to the outer edge as was the first
flexible strip in the preceeding method. Application is such that
the teeth pass through interstices in the adjacent area and in the
mesh material near the outer end and these project perpendicularly
from the periphery of the roll. The rolling process is completed
when a roller is passed over the periphery of the roll and bends
the teeth down to cover the strand ends. When the teeth are bent
the outer end and the adjacent area are clamped between the teeth
and the metallic strip so that the edge is covered and securely
fastened to the roll. This method is advantageous because the
strips can be inexpensively manufactured and quickly applied, yet
the final package possesses sufficient strength to secure netting
made of coarse resilient wire. In addition, the large surface area
of the teeth insures that the strand ends are covered, even if one
end is displaced from its normal position.
According to another preferred method disclosed herein the
fastening step includes tucking one or more of the strand ends into
the roll to temporarily prevent unrolling. Packaging is completed
by applying a heat shrinkable material over the periphery of the
roll to enclose the outer edge of the adjacent portion of the roll
therebeneath and applying heat to shrink the material until the
roll of mesh material is tightly covered. The heat shrinkable
material can be, for example, tubular heat shrinkable polyethylene
film. A preforming step is particularly advantageous in this method
to reduce unrolling stresses and thus reduce the possibility of
strand ends piercing the film. When packaging with heat shrinkable
tubing, the integrity of the finished package is unaffected by
irregularities in the periphery of the roll of mesh material.
Another important advantage of this method is that the entire
cylindrical periphery of the roll is covered by a plastic film.
Thus, should one roll break open during shipment, snagging between
rolls is still unlikely inasmuch as the interstices of other rolls
are covered by a film.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and objects of the present invention will
become more apparent upon a perusal of the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a roll of wire mesh material including an outer end
that is an edge which is comprised of a plurality of strnd
ends;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of a roll of wire mesh
material similar to that shown in FIG. 1 wherein the outer end has
been secured and the strand ends have been covered in accordance
with the subject method;
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a recommended apparatus for
packaging rolls of mesh material as shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG.
3;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a tape clamp shown in the apparatus
in FIGS. 3 and 4 taken along the lines 5--5;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another tape clamp shown in FIGS. 3
and 4 and is taken along the line 6--6;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of a roll of wire mesh
material wherein the outer edge and an area adjacent thereto are
sandwiched between strips of thermoplastic material in accordance
with another preferred method disclosed herein;
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of two rolls of wire mesh material
covered with heat shrinkable tubing wherein the outer end has been
secured by partial tucking and wherein one of the rolls has been
subjected to heat in accordance with still another preferred method
disclosed herein;
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a toothed strip of flexible material
utilized in conjunction with a method disclosed herein; and
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of yet another roll of
wire mesh material that has been packaged by the method utilizing
the strip shown in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a roll 21 of a given
length of mesh material 22 with an outer end 23 that is formed by
an edge 24 which is defined by a plurality of wire strand ends 25
produced when the mesh is cut. The mesh material 22 can be, for
example, wire fencing or poultry netting.
Referring next to FIG. 2 there is a sectional view of a portion of
a roll 31 similar to the roll 21 shown in FIG. 1. An outer layer 32
is depicted by a plurality of strands generally parallel to the
surface of the paper, only one 33 of which is visible, and a
plurality of strands 34 generally perpendicular to the paper.
Strand ends, only one 35 of which is visible, at the cut ends of
the strands 33 form an outer end. An adjacent layer 36 of mesh
material is depicted by strands generally parallel to the strand
33, only one 37 of which is visible, and by strands 40 that are
generally parallel to the strands 34. Securing the outer end to the
body of the roll 31 and covering the strand ends 35 is an outer
strip of flexible pressure sensitive adhesive tape 38. To insure
durability an inner strip 39 of adhesive tape is placed under the
adjacent layer 36. Bonds 41 are formed between the strips 38 and 39
of adhesive tape in interstices in the wire mesh material. Thus,
the two strips 38 and 39 are securely fastened together and enclose
the outer end and an area of the adjacent layer 36. The roll 31 can
be packaged manually as follows. The given length of mesh material
is withdrawn from a source of supply and wound around an arbor or
spindle to form the roll 31. When the desired length has been
withdrawn, the strip is cut and thus the trailing edge and strand
ends 35 are formed. Before rolling is completed, the area of the
layer 36 that will be adjacent the strand ends 35 is located and
the inner strip of tape 39 is applied thereto. When rolling is
completed, the outer strip of tape 38 is applied so as to sandwich
the outer end and the area of the adjacent layer 36. Alternatively,
the method can be practiced automatically as, for example, with
apparatus similar to that shown below. It should be noted that the
two strips 38 and 39 of pressure sensitive adhesive tape are
coextensive and secure and cover the entire outer edge of the roll
31.
Also visible in FIG. 2 is a removal wire 42 that is between the
strips 38 and 39 and parallel thereto. When it is desired to open
the package, the wire 42 is grasped and pulled out to separate the
strips 38 and 39 in a manner similar to that in which the wrapper
of an adhesive bandage strip is removed. The removal wire 42
greatly facilitates breaking of the bonds 41 which must exhibit a
substantial cohesive force between the strips 38 and 39 to prevent
inadvertent separation thereof.
Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 there is shown one preferred
apparatus 51 for packaging rolls of mesh material as shown in FIG.
2. Referring first to FIG. 3, a strip 52 of mesh material is
withdrawn from a source thereof (not shown) such as a forming
machine. In the apparatus 51, the strip 52 passes through a supply
apparatus including aligning rollers 53 and then through a cutter
54. A packaging apparatus 55 includes a first tape applicator 56
through which the strip 52 then passes. (The first tape applicator
applies a strip of tape corresponding to the tape 39 in FIG. 2.)
After passing a Teflon covered corner roller 57 the strip 52 enters
a preformer 58 with Teflon covered rollers and emerges therefrom
with a longitudinal curve. The curved strip 52 is then wound around
an arbor or a spindle 59 forming a roll 61 like the roll 31
depicted in FIG. 2. The direction of winding is such that the curve
impressed on the strip 52 by the preformer 58 reduces the unrolling
stress. Near the spindle 59 is a second tape applicator 62 that is
also part of the packaging apparatus 55. (The second tape
applicator applies a strip of tape that corresponds to the tape 38
shown in FIG. 2.) When the desired length of mesh material 52 has
passed through the cutter 54, a cut is made by forcing the two
mating pieces of the cutter 54 together. The cut forms the edge
defined by strand ends as described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.
Thus, if the packaging apparatus were not activated, completion of
the rolling process would yield a roll 61 with a loose outer end
similar to the roll 21 shown in FIG. 1.
Mounting apparatus that supports a base plate 63 is not shown in
order to preserve clarity. Extending vertically from the base plate
63 are two locating supports 64 (only one of which is visible in
FIG. 3) that suspend the first tape applicator 56 at an elevation
selected so that the distance between the first tape applicator 56
and the cutting apparatus 54 is equal to the circumference of the
completed roll 61. Thus, the area 65 of the mesh material 52 that
is within the first tape applicator 56 when the cut is made will
ultimately be adjacent the outer end of the roll 61. Accordingly,
the inner strip of tape denoted by the numeral 39 in FIG. 2 is
applied to the area 65 simultaneously with the cutting
operation.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 there is shown the first tape
applicator 56. A closed frame is formed by a rear frame panel 66,
two side frame bars 67 and 68 and a housing 69. Within the frame a
platen 71 is supported from the rear frame panel 66 by three shafts
72, 73 and 74. Mounted on the platen is a block of resilient foam
75 with a Teflon facing 76. Four shafts 77 and 78 extending between
the panel 66 and the housing guide reciprocating movement of a
steel pressure plate 81. Also connected to the pressure plate 81 is
a drive shaft 79 that is associated with a hydraulic cylinder 82 in
the housing 69. When the cylinder 82 is activated the shaft 79 is
forced out of the housing 69 thereby moving the pressure plate 81
toward the platen 71. The pressure plate 81 supports a block of
resilient foam 84 with a Teflon facing 85, a lower activator 86, an
upper activator 87 and a tape cutting blade 88. A cutting block 89
mounted on the platen 71 mates with the tape cutting blade 88.
Between the Teflon faces 76 and 85 is stretched a strip of pressure
sensitive adhesive tape 91 with its adhesive toward the pressure
plate 81 and the area 65 of the mesh material 52. The direction of
travel of the mesh material 52 is into the paper as shown in FIG.
4. As shown in FIG. 4, a notched belt 92 is supported by two
pulleys 93 and 94 between the tape 91 and the Teflon face 76.
However, as shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the belt 92, and in
addition, a mating belt 95, are both vertically displaced from the
platen 71. Thus, inasmuch as the Teflon faces 76 and 85 are forced
together without interferences from the belts 92 or 95 when the
hydraulic cylinder 82 is activated, the pressure sensitive adhesive
tape 91 is forced against the area 65 of the strip 52. Note that
the tape 91 does not stick to either Teflon face 76 or 85, yet does
adhere to the wire in the mesh material 52. It will also be noted
that simultaneously with the application of tape 91 to the mesh
material 52 the cutting blade 88 and block 89 cut the tape 91 so
that the portion of the tape 91 affixed to the mesh material 52 is
detached from a roll of tape 96. A more detailed description of the
first tape applicator 56, including an explanation of a tape
transport mechanism that unwinds the tape 91 from the roll 96 and
stretches and holds it parallel to the platen 71 will appear below.
Currently, it can be assumed that the tape 91 is released from any
tape transport mechanism after actuation of the first tape
applicator 56. Thus, the strip of adhesive tape 91 (that
corresponds to the strip 39 in FIG. 2) is affixed to the area 65
and is free to move therewith.
To recapitulate, at this stage of the process a given length of
mesh material 52 has been supplied from a source and cut to form an
outer end that is defined by a plurality of strand ends such as
those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, a strip of pressure
sensitive adhesive tape 91 has been applied to the area 65 of the
mesh material 52 that will ultimately be adjacent the outer end
when the rolling process is completed.
The second tape applicator 62 includes, within a housing 97, an
hydraulic cylinder similar to the cylinder 82. Operatively
associated therewith is a drive shaft 98 visible in FIG. 3. A
pressure plate 101 is supported by the shaft 98 and mounted thereon
is a block of resilient foam 102 with a Teflon facing 103. In order
to preserve clarity, a tape transport mechanism is not shown in the
second tape applicator 62. It will be obvious however, that a
transport mechanism similar to the tape transport mechanism in the
first tape applicator 56 which will be described in detail below,
could be employed to suspend a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive
tape 104 parallel to the pressure plate 101 in the position shown
in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the tape 104 can be manually positioned
by an operator with the adhesive of the tape 104 toward the roll
61.
When the entire strip 52 is on the roll 61, the spindle 59 is
stopped with the cut outer edge directly adjacent the tape strip
104 which has been either automatically or manually positioned. The
strip of tape 91 on the underside of the mesh strip 52 also is
directly adjacent the adhesive tape 104. Actuation of the second
tape applicator 62 then forces the tape 104 against the roll 61
causing bonds to form between the adhesive of the tapes 91 and 104
through the interstices in the mesh material 52. The bonds formed
are similar to the bonds 41 shown in FIG. 2. The resilient block
102 is important inasmuch as the tape 104 is forced through the
interstices as portions of the soft block protrude therethrough.
Thus, upon actuation of the second tape applicator 62 the outer end
is secured to the roll 61 and the strand ends are covered.
Consequently, the application of the pressure sensitive adhesive
tape 104 constitutes a final packaging step and the roll 61 is then
ready for shipment.
An explanation of the tape transport mechanism to be considered
with particular attention paid to FIG. 4, follows. Around the
periphery of the belt 92 are three equally spaced clamps 111, 112
and 113 each attached to both belts 92 and 95. As shown in FIG. 3,
a stepping motor 114 is coupled to a shaft 115 that drives the
pulley 93 and a lower pulley directly below the pulley 93 that
operates in conjunction with the lower belt 95. The motor 114 is
stepped and moves the belts 92 and 95 so that each clamp 111, 112
and 113 moves to the succeeding position immediately after
actuation of the first tape applicator 56. Thus, when the drive
shaft is retracted, if the clamps are in the position shown in FIG.
4, the clamp 113 is moved to the position shown as occupied by the
clamp 111 and the clamp 111 is moved to take the place of the clamp
112 and so on. As shown in FIG. 4, the clamps 111 and 112 are in an
open position. This position is seen in more detail with respect to
the clamp 112 in FIG. 5. Also shown in FIG. 5 is the relative
position of the strip of tape 91 to the open clamp 112. A rear
element 116 is held in a vertical position by the belts 92 and 95
and a pivoting outer member 117 is held in the upper position
indicated in FIG. 5 by a spring (not shown). A latch 118 at the
lower end of the rear element 116 is held in an upper position as
shown by FIG. 5 by a spring (not shown). However, application of
force to either an upper ramp 119 or a lower ramp 121 will pivot
the latch in a clockwise direction. Both the rear element 116 and
the outer member 117 carry Teflon faces 122 and 123 respectively.
During actuation of the first tape applicator 56 the pressure plate
81 moves to the left as shown in FIG. 5 and thus the upper actuator
rod 87 presses horizontally against the sloping upper surface 124
of the outer member 117, thereby causing a clockwise rotation.
Thus, the outer member is forced into a position parallel to the
rear element 116 and the strip of tape 91 is held firmly between
the Teflon faces 122 and 123. As the pressure plate 81 is nearing
the end of its stroke, a corner 125 of the outer member 117 strikes
the upper ramp 119 thereby causing the latch 118 to rotate
clockwise and receive the outer member 117. As the Teflon faces 122
and 123 come together the latch snaps shut closing the clamp 112.
(This closed position is illustrated by the clamp 113 shown in FIG.
6.) Thus, a referral to FIG. 4 shows that as the pressure plate 81
is forced toward the platen 71 and the tape 91 is severed by the
cutting blade 88 what would become a free end of the strip of tape
91 is simultaneously gripped by the clamp 112.
Referring now to FIG. 6 there is shown the clamp 113 gripping the
tape 91 between two Teflon faces 131 and 132. An outer clamp member
133 is being held against the rear element 134 by a latch 135.
Springs (not shown) apply bias forces to the latch 135 and the
outer member 133 in a direction that would produce counterclockwise
rotation therein.
Referring to FIG. 4 it is seen that the resilient pressure pad 84,
the upper actuator 87 and the strip of mesh material 52 are all
displaced from the latch 113. Thus, as the pressure plate 81 moves
to the left as shown in FIG. 6 (or upward as shown in FIG. 4) only
the lower actuator 86 will come in contact with the clamp 113. A
lower ramp 136 receives the actuator 86 and interaction
therebetween causes a clockwise rotation of the latch 135 and thus
the outer member 133 is released. Upon release, the spring (not
shown) causes the outer member 133 to rotate in a counterclockwise
direction and assume the open position of the latch 112 in FIG. 5.
Thus, as the tape strip 91 is pressed against the area 65 and
affixed thereto the end of the tape is released. The adhesive of
the strip of tape 91 does not stick to either Teflon face 131 or
132 but does stick to the mesh 52 and is carried thereby toward the
roll 61.
During operation of the apparatus 51 the strip of mesh material 52
is affixed to the spindle 59 and the rolling process is started.
When the total length of the mesh material 52 between the cutter 54
and the roll 61 and the material in the roll 61 equals the desired
final length of the roll, the spindle 59 is stopped. Then the
cutter 54 cuts the mesh material 52 so as to form an edge defined
by the strand ends. Simultaneously, the two Teflon faces 76 and 85
are forced together, thereby affixing the strip of flexible
pressure sensitive tape 91 to the area 65 of the mesh material. As
the tape 91 is affixed to the area 65 the clamp 113 releases the
end of the tape and the cutting blade 88 cuts the tape. Thus, the
strip of tape 91 that is applied to the area 65 is released from
the roll 96 and can move freely with the mesh material 52. Also,
what would have been a free end of the tape 91 near the cutting
blade 88 is grasped by the clamp 112. The spindle 59 is again
started to complete the rolling process. As the spindle is
restarted the stepping motor 114 turns the belts 92 and 95 so that
the clamp 112 is moved to the position of the clamp 113 in FIG. 4.
Thus, another strip of tape 91 is unwound from the roll 96 and held
parallel to the platen 71 ready to be applied to the next given
length of mesh material 52. When the entire given length of mesh
material 52 is on the roll 61 the spindle 59 is stopped with the
tape 91 adjacent the tape 104. As mentioned previously, the
adhesive surfaces of the tapes 91 and 104 are now facing. Thus,
upon actuation of the second tape applicator 62 the adhesive
surfaces are forced together creating the sandwich package that is
shown in FIG. 2. The roll 61, which is now a finished package, is
removed from the spindle 59 and shipped. A new leading edge of mesh
material 52 is then attached to the spindle 59 and the process is
repeated.
Referring now to FIG. 7 there is a sectional view of a portion of a
roll 141 of mesh material 142 including an outer layer 143 with an
outer edge 144 that is defined by a plurality of strand ends, one
145 of which is visible in FIG. 7. Next to the outer end 144 is an
area 146 of an adjacent layer 147. The fastening and covering steps
of the method depicted in FIG. 7 are combined into a single
packaging step that is performed by placing an inner strip of
thermoplastic material 148 on the inner side of the area 146 during
the rolling process and placing an outer strip of similar plastic
149 on the periphery of the roll 141 so as to be coextensive with
the inner strip 148. The elongated strips 148 and 149 run
perpendicularly to the paper as viewed in FIG. 7. Penetration of
both strips of thermoplastic 148 and 149 with heated metal rods so
as to melt the thermoplastic material and form small plastic
"bridges" or bonds 151 between the strips completes the process.
The bridges 151 extend through interstices in the wire mesh
material 142. Thus, this method is similar to the method utilizing
the two strips of tape depicted in FIG. 2 and can be performed by
hand or by automated equipment similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and
4.
Referring now to FIG. 8 there is shown a roll 153 of mesh material
similar to the roll 21 shown in FIG. 1. An outer edge has been
fastened to the body of the roll 153 by tucking one 155 or more of
the strand ends 156 into the roll. Only so many of the strand ends
156 as are necessary to temporarily fasten the outer edge are
tucked. The roll 153 is next covered by a tubular heat shrinkable
material 154 either manually or by suitable packaging machinery.
For example, the material can be heat shrinkable polyethylene film.
A conveyor belt 157 carries the roll 153 and film 154 to an oven
158 where heat is applied causing the film 154 to shrink and
tightly cover the roll 153 thereby securing the outer edge and
covering the strand ends 156. A finished roll 153a is shown
emerging from the oven 158 covered by a shrunken plastic film 154a.
Obviously, preforming is advantageous in the practice of this
method inasmuch as unrolling stresses are thereby reduced to lessen
the possibility that a strand end 156 will pierce the film 154.
Rolling and cutting apparatus similar to that in FIG. 3 can be used
advantageously with this method or manual rolling and cutting can
be performed.
Referring next to FIGS. 9 and 10 there is depicted yet another
method of packaging a roll 165 of wire mesh material 166. A strip
of metallic material 167 is cut so as to form wide teeth 168 with
relatively small spaces therebetween. A 90.degree. bend is made
along a fold line 169 so that the teeth 168 are perpendicular to a
base surface 171. On the roll 165, an outer end 172 of the wire
mesh material 166 is defined by a plurality of wire strands 173.
Adjacent the outer end 172 is an adjacent layer 174. Application of
the fastener strip 167 is begun by inserting the teeth 168 through
interstices in the adjacent layer 174 during the rolling process.
Upon completion of the rolling, the teeth 168 protrude through
interstices near the outer end 172 and extend perpendicularly from
the roll 165 as shown in phantom in FIG. 10. A roller (not shown)
is passed over the periphery of the roll 165 to bend the teeth 168
to the position shown in FIG. 10 thereby fastening the outer end
172 to the adjacent layer 174 and covering the strand ends 173. As
a diagram for clarity only, one strand end 175 and one tooth 176
are shown in phantom in FIG. 9 with the tooth bent so as to cover
the strand end 175.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For
example, the method depicted in FIG. 2 could utilize water
activated or heat sensitive adhesive material. It is to be
understood, therefore, that the invention can be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described.
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