Winder for the information of reels of continuous web material

Abstract

 A winder for making reels of continuous web material comprises a supporting cylindrical body (4) around which the web material (2) is wound into a reel (6), said body moving vertically as the diameter of the reel (6) becomes larger. The winder further comprises at least one motor-driven roller (5) against which the supporting cylindrical body (4) is made to abut to guide the advancement and winding of the web material (2) over the cylindrical body (4), at least a counteracting member (10) positionable against the circumferential outer surface (6a) of the reel (6) in the course of formation, and a supporting and driving mechanism (8) able to drive into motion the counteracting member (10) in a single direction during the winding of the reel (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a winder for winding continuous web material.

[0002] In particular, the present invention is for use in the sector of th paper-converting industry and of industrial machines for working and producing paper or web materials in general, for the formation of reels having significant dimensions and not normally intended for retail.

[0003] As it is known, the formation of such reels is made by means of machines so-called winders, which have a cylindrical body or spool driven into rotation about a horizontal axis and around which a web is wound being unreeled from suitable supply units.

[0004] Two motor-driven guide rollers, located at the bottom of the winder, below the cylindrical body, promote the unwinding of the web from the supply unit and the consequent winding of same web around the cylindrical body.

[0005] Initially, the cylindrical body rests above the motor-driven rollers, with the web being interposed between the latter and the cylindrical body.

[0006] As the dimensions of the reel increase, the thickness of the material, interposed between the motor-driven rollers and cylindrical body for the winding, increases as well and, therefore, the cylindrical body lifts up by vertically sliding along a guide rail.

[0007] The cylindrical body is connected to a bearing structure, typically consisting of arms or rods fitted at the center of the spool and around which the cylindrical body rotates. The cylindrical body or spool is able to rotate by interacting with the motor-driven rollers on which it is in contact, if it is idle, or may be motorized itself.

[0008] The winding of the web about the spool may cause the formation of irregularities onto the reel surface, such as ripples, corrugations or drafts which spoil the web and alter the quality of the same reel.

[0009] With the growing of the winding layers, the anomaly inevitably becomes worse, thereby accentuating the size of the corrugations which propagate over a greater surface of the reel.

[0010] To avoid these irregularities and achieve a reel of desired quality, the state-of-the-art machines are provided with a counteracting element, so-called rider roller, which is made to rest over the reel.

[0011] In base of the contact pressure value between the rider and the reel, there is determined the density, softness and quality of the reel in the course of formation.

[0012] The rider roller, connected to mechanical bearing means, is generally made to rest onto the reel, rotates therewith and, when interferring with irregularities, in particular ovalizzations and effects of resonance of the reel, is subjected to sudden vertical displacements.

[0013] Following this, it begins to oscillate, by jerking on the surface of the reel under formation.

[0014] Owing to said jerks, the counteracting element, upon falling back, exerts kickbacks onto the reel, thereby transmitting vertical forces on the surface thereof which may accentuate the irregularities already present thereon.

[0015] Occasionally, phenomena of resonance may occur between the counteracting element and the same reel.

[0016] To reduce the damping effect of the counteracting element, elastic bearing means have been proposed which are able to control the vertical movement thereof by reducing the intensity of the force transmitted onto the reel surface.

[0017] Although such elastic bearing means are able to lower the energy transmitted by the counteracting element to the reel surface, it has been found that this approach does not solve the problem of the increase of already present anomaly.

[0018] Actually, the bearing means only relieve the weight of the counteracting element without preventing the latter, upon falling back, from transmetting kickbacks, even if of slight intensity, to the reel.

[0019] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a winder for continuous web material which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0020] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a winder for continuous web material able to form a reel of considerable size, by limiting the formation of irregularities onto the surface of the same reel and avoiding any increase and spread of such anomalies.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to provide a winder for continuous web material able to form reels without excessive surface irregularities and the occurrence of resonance phenomena during the formation of the reel.

[0022] These and other objects, which will appear more clearly by a reading of the detailed description that follows, are substantially achieved by means of a winder for continuous web material, according to one or more appended claims.

[0023] Further characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly by the detailed description that follows of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a winder for continuous web material, according to the present invention.

[0024] Said description is given herebelow with reference to the attached figures to be considered in an indicative and, therefore, non-limitative purpose. In the drawings:

• Fig. 1 is schematic side view of a winder for continuous web material according to the present invention, in a first operating step;
• Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a winder for continuous web material according to the present invention, in a second operating step;
• Fig. 3 is a left front view of the winder for the continuous web material shown in Fig. 1; and

[0025] Fig. 4 is a right front view of the winder for the continuous web material shown in Fig. 1.

[0026] According to the attached drawings, numeral 1 indicates on the whole a winder for continuous web material.

[0027] The web 2, coming from the supply unit 3, is wound around a cylindrical body or spool 4 rotating about an axis 4a being preferably in horizontal position.

[0028] Positioned at the bottom of the winder 1 is at least one motor-driven roller 5 which facilitates the unwinding of the web from the supply unit 3.

[0029] Shown in the attached figure 1 are two motor-driven rollers 5 which cooperate with the cylindrical body 4 to promote the winding of web 2 around the cylindrical body 4 for the formation of a reel 6 of web material.

[0030] The web 2 slides between the motor-driven rollers 5 and the cylindrical body 4 being located above the rollers 5.

[0031] Initially, the cylindrical body 4 is in contact with the motor-driven rollers 5, but, as the winding of web 2 around the cylindrical body or spool 4 goes on, the diamter of reel 6 becomes larger and, consequently, the cylindrical body lifts up by sliding along a rail 7, as shown in Fig. 1, moving away from the motor-driven rollers.

[0032] The cylindrical body 4 rotates around two opposed, preferably horizontal rods 9, each being connected to a respective bearing and driving mechanism 8, the structure and operation of which will be described herebelow. The cylindrical body 4 rotates about the axis 4a merely by the effect of the motor-driven rollers 5 motion, with which the spool 4 cooperates if it is idle; alternatively, the cylindrical body 4 may be motorized.

[0033] Similarly, the lifting of the cylindrical body 4 along the rail 7 may be caused either by the action of the bearing and driving mechanism 8, connected to the said opposed rods 9, or it may be simply due to the thickening of the web 2's layers interposed between the cylindrical body 4 and the motor-driven rollers 5, as the diameter of reel 6 increases.

[0034] The winder further comprises a counteracting member 10, preferably made up of a cylindrical roller able to be positioned against the outer circumferential surface 6a of reel 6 to facilitate th formation thereof.

[0035] Preferably, the counteracting member 10 extends over the whole width of reel 6 and rotates onto the surface 6a thereof about a horizontal axis 10a, parallel to the axis 4a of reel 6.

[0036] The counteracting member 10 as well may either idle or motorized, and it rotates at the same peripheral speed as reel 6.

[0037] Advantageously, the counteracting member 10 as well slides vertically along the rail 7, being connected to at least one respective bearing and driving mechanism 8, likewise the one to which the opposed rods 9 sustaining the cylindrical body 4 are connected.

[0038] In particular, said bearing and driving mechanism 8 allows the movement in a single direction of both the countercating member 10 and the cylindrical body 4 during the formation of the reel 6.

[0039] In other words, and by referring in particular to the counteracting member 10, during the winding of reel 6, when the counteracting member 10 comes across an irregularity of surface 6a, it undergoes an upward vertical displacement. The bearing and driving mechanism 8 retains the counteracting member 10 in the new lifted up position and prevents it from sliding downwards and coming back in contact with the surface of the reel 6. Owing to further windings of web 2, the reel 6 grows progressively in diameter until the surface 6a thereof meets again the counteracting member 10. At this point, the counteracting member 10 abuts again against the surface 6a of reel 6 and resumes its function as an element for the control and aid of the winding.

[0040] Such mechanism 8 comprises at least one free wheel 11 keyed on a rotary shaft 12, and means 13 for connection between the counteracting member 10 and the rotary shaft 12 on which each free wheel 11 is keyed.

[0041] In particular, such connection means 13 comprise a chain meshing with the teeth of a wheel 15 keyed on the rotary shaft 12. Alternatively, the connection means 13 comprise a rope 14 which winds up around a pulley 15 keyed on the shaft 12.

[0042] Shown in the attached figures is a chain and a toothed wheel. Accordingly, for the sake of simplicity, the description that follows will make reference, only by way of example, to these two elements without, however, departing from all general cases.

[0043] Each free wheel 11 can be associated with a brake 16, being active on a peripheral portion 11a of the free wheel 11 during the winding of reel 6. The brake 16 is necessary for the operation of the free wheel 11 as it keeps the peripheral portion 11a of the free wheel 11 blocked while the central portion 11b keyed on shaft 12 rotates with the latter.

[0044] The bearing and driving mechanism 8 further comprises at least one counterweight 17 connected to said connection means 13 and especially to the chain 14 to ease the vertical sliding of the counteracting member 10.

[0045] The counterweight 17 may also comprise an actuator for driving forcedly into motion the counteracting member 10.

[0046] Advantageopusly, provision is made for two bearing and driving mechanisms 8 cooperating with the counteracting member 10, and two further bearing and driving mechanisms 8 cooperating with the opposed rods 9.

[0047] Each end of the counteracting member 10 is connected to the chain 14 to which also the counterweight or actuator 17 is engaged via a series of intermediate members consisting of toothed wheels 15.

[0048] Likewise, each rod 9 is connected to respective connection means 13 which transmit the motion from the rods to the free wheel 11. In particular, each rod 9 is connected to a respective chain 14 to which also the counterweight or actuator 17 is engaged via a series of intermediate members consisting of toothed wheels 15. The chain 14 is made to mesh with the toothed wheel 15 keyed on the shaft 12 coaxial with the free wheel 11.

[0049] As the diameter of reel 6 grows larger, the cylindrical body 4 translates vertically upwards owing either to the increasing dimensions of the reel 6, as previously discussed, or to the effect of the pull of actuator 17 which drives into motion the chain 14 and, consequently, lifts up the cylindrical body 4.

[0050] The sliding of chain 14 drives into rotation the toothed wheel 15 keyed on the shaft 12.

[0051] The rotation of shaft 12 is cause also for the rotation of the free wheel 11, in particular of its central portionb 11b directly connected to the shaft 12, while the peripheral part 11a is kept stationary by the brake 16.

[0052] The free wheel 11 allows the rotation of the shaft 12 only in one direction, by preventing the rotation in opposite direction and, in particular, preventing the rotation in the direction that would allow the descent of the cylindrical body 4.

[0053] Once the reel 6 is wound to the end, the moving down of the opposed rods 9 is allowed by disengaging the peripheral portion 11a of free wheel from the brake 16, so as to allow the rotation of the shaft in both directions.

[0054] Likewise, the counteracting member 10 is connected to the rotary shaft 12 via the chain 14 which engages the toothed wheel 15 keyed on shaft 12.

[0055] When the counteracting member 10 comes across an irregularity of the surface 6a of reel 6, it si pushed upwards.

[0056] This drives the chain 14 into motion and, consequently, causes the rotation of the toothed wheel 15, of shaft 12 and thus of the central part 11b of the free wheel 11.

[0057] After the rotation, the free wheel 11 comes to a stop at a new angular position, thereby blocking the counteracting member 10 in the raised position: the rotation of shaft 12 in the opposite direction, that is, in the direction that would move again the counteracting member 10 downwards, is prevented.

[0058] The cylindrical body 4 continues to rotate about the axis 4a, the web keeps winding up and the reel increases progressively its diameter so that, at a certain point, the surface 6a of reel 6 meets again the counteracting member 10 which starts again to compress the surface 6a thereby levelling and reducing the irregularities.

[0059] Once the reel 6 has been completely formed, it is withdrawn from the winder 1.

[0060] For repositioning the counteracting member 10 on the bottom of the machine, in other words, for allowing the downward vertical displacement thereof, the free wheel 11 is disengaged from the brake 16 so as to allow the rotation of the free wheel 11, and thus of shaft 12, also in the initially prevented direction.

[0061] The invention obtains major advantages and the intended objects.

[0062] In fact, because of its interference with irregularities of the surface, the counteracting member is displaced upwards bu does not fall back onto the surface. This avoids the kickbacks that the devices of the prior art exert on the surface of the reel and, therefore, prevents the increment and spread of the anomalies generated during a high speed winding of the web.

[0063] Moreover, by preventing the jerks of the counteracting member onto the reel surface there is avoided any phenomenon of interference, in particular between the counteracting member and the same reel.

Claims

1. Winder for making reels of continuous web material comprising:

a support cylindrical body (4) around which the web material (2) is wound into a reel (6); said cylindrical body moving vertically upon an increase of the diameter of the reel (6),

at least one motor-driven roller (5) against which the supporting cylindrical body (4) is made to abut to guide the advancement and the winding of the web material (2) over said cylindrical body (4),

at least a counteracting member (10) for controlling and favoring the winding, which member is positionable against the circumferential outer surface (6a) of the reel (6) in the course of formation,

characterized in that it comprises a supporting and driving mechanism (8) connected to said counteracting member (10) and able to drive into motion said counteracting member (10) in a single direction during the winding of the reel (6).

2. Winder according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting and driving mechanism (8) comprises at least one free wheel (11).

3. Winder according to claim 2, characterized in that said supporting and driving mechanism (8) comprises means (13) for connection between said counteracting member (10) and a rotary shaft (12) onto which each free wheel (11) is keyed.

4. Winder according to claim 2, characterized in that said supporting and driving mechanism (8) comprises means (13) for connection between said cylindrical body (4) and a rotary shaft (12) onto which each free wheel (11) is keyed.

5. Winder according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said connection means (13) comprise a chain meshing with the teeth of a wheel (15) keyed on said rotary shaft (12).

6. Winder according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each free wheel (11) can be associated with a brake (16) being active on a peripheral portion (11a) of said free wheel 11 during the winding of reel (6).

7. Winder according to claim 6, characterized in that said free wheel (11) can be disengaged from said brake (16) to allow the vertical downward sliding of the counteracting member (10).

8. Winder according to claim 6, characterized in that said free wheel (11) can be disengaged from said brake (16) to allow the vertical downward sliding of the cylindrical body (4).

9. Winder according to any of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that said supporting and driving mechanism (8) comprises at least one counterweight (17) connected to said connection means (13) to ease the vertical sliding of the counteracting member (10) or of said cylindrical body (4).

10. Winder according to claim 9, characterized in that said counterweight (17) comprises an actuator.

11. Winder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said counteracting member (10) exhibits a major axis (10a) of development parallel to the axis of rotation (4a) of reel (6); said counteracting member (10) comprising a roller which rotates onto the surface of the reel (6).

12. Winder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cylindrical support body (4) is borne by at least two opposed rods (9) connected to a respective supporting and driving mechanism (8) via respective connection means (13).

13. Winder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two supporting and driving mechanisms (8) each of which being associated with a respective end of said counteracting member (10).

14. Winder according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises two supporting and driving mechanisms (8) each of which being associated with one of said opposed rods (9).

15. Winder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two motor-driven rollers (5) for guiding the advancement and winding of said web material (2) over said cylindrical body (4); said web sliding between said motorized rollers (5) and said cylindrical body (4) around which it winds up.

16. Winder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a guide rail (7) for the vertical sliding of the cylindrical body (4) and counteracting member (10).

Drawing