WINDER FOR A SHEET PRODUCT

Abstract

 A winding device (100) for a sheet product cut longitudinally into parallel strips of reduced width, in which the winding device is configured to wind the strips separately forming a first reel (101) and a second reel (102) and includes a plurality of mobile diverter elements (103) configurable to alternately draw in the parallel strips towards the first reel and towards the second reel.

Description

Field of application

[0001] The invention relates to the field of production of laminates known as "sheets", which are typically laminated products intended for various technical uses. A field of particular interest for the application of the invention is represented by semifinished technical laminates intended to compose the carcass of tyres.

Prior art

[0002] Industry makes extensive use of technical sheet products. A notable example is laminates comprising one or more layers of elastomer (denoted "rubber" for simplicity), which are used in industry mainly to make tyre components for vehicles, as well as for other applications such as rubber tracks for agricultural machinery.

[0003] The sheet products referred to may be either laminated or non-laminated. A laminated product typically comprises a substrate and at least one coating layer, for example a textile substrate and an elastomer coating. A non-laminated product comprises a single layer. Sheet products of particular interest include, or consist of, an elastomer layer.

[0004] Sheet products can be produced industrially on calendering lines where the product is in the form of a sheet of indefinite length, processed by passing between pairs of rollers with parallel shafts. The width of the sheet in a calendering line can vary depending on the application but typically modern calendering lines are designed for a sheet width of up to about two metres. At the end of the production process, the sheet is generally wound into reels for storage and shipment to the customer.

[0005] Recently, there has been an increasing demand from industry to supply these products in the form of narrower sheet widths, significantly smaller than the width normally obtainable with calendering lines. As mentioned above, for a number of constructional reasons the lines are generally designed for a sheet width of about two metres, whereas the industry requires, for certain applications, product sheets that are only a few tens of millimetres wide, for example from 60 to 300 mm. This demand is expressed in particular by the vehicle tyre industry, where relatively narrow strips of elastomeric material are used to make specific parts of the tyre.

[0006] More generally, the market is demanding ever greater flexibility: a calender for sheet products should ideally be able to produce sheets of various widths depending on their intended use.

[0007] This demand must therefore be met. In a calendering line, a sheet of product of conventional width can be cut into strips of reduced width by positioning appropriate blades or knives to cut the sheet lengthwise as it progresses along the line. At this point, however, handling the cut product in strips proves to be a problematic task. In particular, winding into reels is problematic.

[0008] Downstream of the longitudinal cutting, the strips are parallel and practically in contact with each other. In particular, a product consisting of an elastomer sheet or coated with an elastomer layer (rubberised sheet) is problematic to handle because the strips easily tend to stick together again due to the adhesive properties of the elastomer.

[0009] The whole sheets are usually wound into reels with what is known as a service wrap in between to prevent the product from sticking to itself. Special devices called winders have been developed for this purpose. However, a product cut into parallel sheets cannot be wound using this technique, as it would then no longer be possible to separate the sheets from each other, at least not without the risk of damaging the product.

[0010] Prior art winders, designed to handle a single sheet of a given width, are unsuitable when there is a need to handle a sheet cut lengthwise into two or more strips. In the prior art, in such cases each individual sheet is separated and wound on a dedicated shaft, which greatly complicates the machine when a number of parallel sheets have to be handled. Basically, the prior art does not yet offer a satisfactory solution to this production requirement.

Summary of the invention

[0011] The invention is intended to solve the above-identified problem of winding a longitudinally cut sheet into reels, particularly in the context of elastomer sheets (known as "rubber" sheets) or sheets having an elastomer layer, intended for technical uses such as the production of tyres.

[0012] The invention addresses the problem of how to wind into reels a sheet product that may arise in the form of two or more parallel strips resulting from longitudinal cutting of a single sheet. In other words, the invention addresses the problem of how to wind up a sheet product which may be fed in parallel strips which are close together or virtually in contact, typically as a result of longitudinal cutting into two or more strips from a single sheet.

[0013] The object is achieved with a winder according to claim 1. Certain preferred features are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0014] The idea behind the invention is to provide two reels and alternately direct the product strips to one or the other reel. This is achieved by providing a group of mobile diverters upstream of the reels.

[0015] Said mobile diverters can be configured in such a way that each product strip is received by a respective diverter or a respective group of diverters. Furthermore, the diverters may assume a first setup to direct the product strips to the first reel, or vice versa a second setup to direct the product strips to the second reel.

[0016] By appropriately alternating the diverters (or groups thereof) arranged in the first and second setups, the product strips are alternately directed towards one or the other reel. Assuming two adjacent product strips at the input of the winder, one is directed towards the first reel and the other is directed towards the second reel. In this way, each reel receives spaced strips of product that can be wound without risk of the product sticking.

[0017] It will readily be understood that a major advantage of the invention is to manage the winding of parallel strips with only two winding shafts, since the strips are alternately directed to one and the other reel. In this way, a winder with a small footprint but capable of accepting and handling a plurality of strips is obtained. Furthermore, the winder can be configured to manage inputs represented by strips of varying numbers and widths according to production requirements.

[0018] The winder can advantageously be equipped with a suitable control system to automatically configure the mobile diverters according to the number and width of the strips. For example, the control system can allow a choice of preset production modes, or it can be integrated with the upstream line control system.

[0019] It should be noted that the terms "upstream" and "downstream" conventionally refer to the longitudinal direction of sheet feed.

[0020] It should be noted that the term 'sheets' may indicate either a continuous sheet or a sheet cut lengthwise into strips of a given width.

[0021] A further object of the invention is to provide a machine or line according to the claims, comprising a cutting station upstream of the winder, the cutting station being arranged to receive a sheet of product and configured to cut said sheet of product longitudinally into a selective number of sheets of smaller width (also known as strips) parallel and adjacent to each other.

[0022] The machine can be equipped with a control system to select a desired production mode and:

i) configure the cutting section to divide the product sheet into sheets or strips of a number and width according to the selected mode, and

ii) arrange the mobile diverters of the winder to alternately direct the strips towards the first reel and the second reel.

[0023] The features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description.

Description of the invention

[0024] Preferably, the mobile diverters of the winder are arranged adjacently to form a row or array transverse to a direction of transport of the strips. Generally, said transport direction coincides with a longitudinal direction of the line. The mobile diverters are accordingly arranged adjacently in the direction of the width of the sheet.

[0025] More preferably, the mobile drawing-in means form an array arranged transversely to a direction of transport of the strips and are configured such that each strip is intercepted by at least one of the mobile drawing-in means and directed to the first reel or to the second reel, and such that adjacent strips are directed to different reels.

[0026] Preferably these mobile diverters are arranged to act as sheet drawing-in means into the reels.

[0027] Preferably each of said mobile diverters is displaceable between the first setup and the second setup by a rotational movement of the diverter about a shaft, more preferably under pneumatic control. For this purpose, the winder comprises, for example, a respective pneumatic actuator associated with each mobile diverter. Preferably all the diverters are arranged to rotate about a common shaft.

[0028] Advantageously, the winder further comprises a device for aligning the diverters in the direction of the sheet width. Preferably, said device is capable of displacing the mobile diverters individually and selectively in the direction of the sheet width. Said device enables the mobile diverters to be precisely aligned with the product strips, depending on the selected working mode, i.e. the number, width and position of the strips. Transverse alignment can also be controlled automatically by the winder control system. Thanks to the transverse alignment control, the diverters (individually or in groups) can correctly intercept the product strips and correctly divert or draw them into the reels.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment said mobile diverters are located higher than the winding reels, for example in a winder head. In such a case, preferably, the first setup is a setup in which the mobile diverters form an inclined transport path towards the first reel while the second setup is a setup in which the mobile diverters form an inclined transport path towards the second reel.

[0030] For example, in a preferred arrangement the first reel and the second reel are aligned in the direction of product transport, the group of mobile diverters is centrally located between the two reels, being able to direct the product forwards to the front reel or backwards to the rear reel.

[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment, each mobile diverter (or drawing-in means) is embodied by a respective belt conveyor. Said belt conveyor preferably runs along a closed path. Said closed path for example is essentially triangular in shape. In a preferred embodiment, each belt conveyor has a frame which pivots about a shaft, such that the conveyor belt is inclinable towards the first reel or the second reel. Positioned in proximity to the reels, said conveyor acts as a sheet drawing-in means.

[0032] The winder includes suitable belt conveyor actuating means embodying the described mobile diverters. Said actuating means, in some embodiments, are arranged to actuate the belt conveyors with one transport direction when they are positioned in the first setup, and with an opposite direction when they are positioned in the second setup.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, in order to allow said actuation with selective running direction, the conveyors include a belt with toothing on the internal side and the winder includes two counter-rotating toothed shafts capable of engaging the internal toothing of the belt; the conveyors in the first setup are arranged in such a way that the internal belt teeth mesh with only one of the two shafts, remaining spaced from one another; conversely the conveyors in the second setup mesh with the other shaft, thus obtaining running in opposite directions.

[0034] The devices for moving the mobile diverters can be embodied using known technology and no detailed description is necessary for the purposes of the invention. By way of example, a diverter may be embodied by a conveyor belt having a frame keyed to a shaft; a respective pneumatic actuator is arranged to displace the diverter assembly between a first setup inclined towards the first winder and a second setup inclined towards the second winder; the alignment device is arranged to move the diverter forwards or backwards (in the transverse direction i.e. sheet width) along the keyed shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the alignment device includes a head movable by means of a screw-drive device; said head may selectively engage a series of elements such as levers or tie-rods integral with the various diverters. Screw-drive actuation allows the precise control of the position of the mobile head and, consequently, precise positioning of the mobile diverters.

[0035] In a simplified embodiment, the transverse displacement and/or the transition from the first to the second setup can be carried out manually.

[0036] Another feature of the invention which is of interest is the following: the winder comprises, for each reel, at least one optical reader arranged to detect an outer edge position of the sheet or group of sheets directed to the respective winder.

[0037] This enables the service wrap reel to be positioned correctly and solves a further problem. This is because each reel receives a single strip or a series of strips that can be positioned in various ways along the winding shaft, depending on the production method. For example, the strips could occupy a central or lateral area of the reel itself. By optically sensing an outer edge position of the strip or group of strips intended for each reel, the invention enables a wrap of the appropriate width to be used and positioned correctly to ensure that all strips of product rest on the wrap.

[0038] Another aspect of the invention is a machine or line for the continuous production, by calendering, of a laminated sheet product, comprising at least one winder as described above.

[0039] Said machine or line comprises a cutting station arranged to receive a sheet of product and configured to longitudinally cut said sheet of product into a selective number of parallel and adjacent strips (sheets of smaller width); at least one winder of the strips of product into reels positioned downstream of the cutting station and embodied according to one of the variants of the present invention.

[0040] The machine may comprise, downstream of said longitudinal cutting station and upstream of the winder, a device for transversely cutting the strips, in order to obtain individual sheets of the desired length and width. Said transverse cutting device is preferably embodied by a rotary knife.

[0041] The longitudinal cutting station may comprise a plurality of blades, for example circular blades, selectively positionable along the width extension of the sheet. For example, the blades are mounted on carriages sliding along a support. Furthermore, each blade is advantageously displaceable between an active cutting position and a raised position in which it does not interact with the product. In this way, the arrangement of the blades determines the number and width of the strips generated by cutting. Depending on the characteristics of the product, appropriate cutting systems can be adopted, for example pressure blades or shear knives.

[0042] The winder can be integrated into the calendering machine. Preferably, however, it is an extractable component that can be removed from the machine, so as to be able to carry out "off-line" the operations that become necessary when the reel has reached its maximum diameter ("full" reel), i.e. removal of the full reel that will be transferred to storage, replacement of the reel, etc. Once prepared for a new winding cycle, the winding can be repositioned in line.

[0043] Advantageously, a machine according to the invention comprises two separate winders and a device for selectively feeding the product to only one of the two winders, in order to maintain the continuity of the production process during the above-mentioned resetting operations of the full winder.

[0044] The invention is applicable to sheet products of various compositions. By way of non-limiting example, one application of the invention which is of interest relates to sheets of elastomeric material for industry (known as rubber sheets) or laminated sheets comprising a support, such as a fabric, coated or spread with an elastomeric layer.

Description of the drawings

[0045] 

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of part of a calendering line for a sheet product comprising a winder in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram representing one mode of operation of the line and winder of Fig. 1 with cutting of the sheet into two strips.

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3 and represents another mode of operation with cutting the sheet into three strips.

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 3 and represents another mode of operation with cutting the sheet into five strips.

Fig. 6 shows a group of drawing-in means in a plan view.

Fig. 7 shows a group of drawing-in means in a front view.

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a portion of a calendering line in which a sheet product S is cut longitudinally into crosswise parallel strips in a longitudinal cutting station 300 comprising a plurality of blades 301-305, for example circular blades pressed against a counter cylinder 311.

[0047] The product is located on a conveyor belt 1. The arrow L indicates the longitudinal direction of transport of the product. The transverse direction (sheet width) is understood to be perpendicular to the plane of the figure. The product indicated by the symbol S can therefore be represented by many strips running adjacently on the belt 1.

[0048] Product S is a sheet product for industrial uses. By way of non-limiting example, product S may be an elastomer sheet or what is known as a rubberised fabric of the type used in the manufacture of tyres.

[0049] Also shown is a rotary knife 2 arranged to perform cross cuts of the continuously fed product strips S, obtaining strips P having a width which is determined by the previously performed cutting into strips, and an end-of-reel length which is determined by the action of the rotary knife 2.

[0050] Downstream of the rotary knife, the strips P run parallel and close together, substantially virtually in contact with each other, slightly spaced by a pair of spreading cylinders 321.

[0051] A chute 3 allows the strips P to be directed to an underlying first winder 100 or onto another conveyor belt 4 leading to an identical second winder, not shown. The presence of a second winder provides redundancy for the winding system that allows production not to be interrupted when one of the two winders is full and needs to be replaced.

[0052] The winder 100 is configured to wind the strips of sheet material, separately forming a first reel 101 and a second reel 102. In both reels 101 and 102, the strips are wound with interposition of a service fabric 210, 220 taken continuously from reels 201, 202.

[0053] Reels 101, 102 wind and reels 201, 202 unwind on respective spools 131, 132 and 231, 232. The service fabric is transported by two pairs of pulling cylinders 241, 242 and is guided by a series of diverting cylinders to the respective spool/reel for winding the sheet.

[0054] The winder 100 includes a set of mobile drawing-in means 103 which are selectively positionable to draw in the strips P towards the reel 101 or towards the reel 102.

[0055] The mobile drawing-in means 103 are located in a central head area of the winder 100, thus being located in the middle, and in an elevated position, with respect to the spools 131, 132 of the product reels 101, 102. The mobile winders 103 are also aligned to form a row in the direction transverse to the line, i.e. the direction perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 1.

[0056] Each of the mobile drawing-in means 103 is essentially a belt conveyor which is controllably inclinable forwards towards the reel 102 or backwards towards the reel 101. Each strip P is accommodated by a respective individual or group of drawing-in means, depending on the configuration of the winder 100 and the width of the strips P relative to the width of the drawing-in means 103. By suitably arranging the mobile drawing-in means 103 in an alternating configuration, the flow of parallel strips P is alternately distributed between the two reels 101 and 102.

[0057] In Fig. 1, it can be seen that, for example, the drawing-in means 103A is inclined backwards so as to run towards the reel 101, while the drawing-in means 103B is inclined forwards so as to run towards the reel 102.

[0058] Assuming two adjacent strips P on the conveyor 1, one of said two strips is drawn in towards the reel 101 and the other is drawn into the reel 102. Accordingly, the winder 100 is able to distribute the incoming flow of product between the two reels. Within the reels, the product strips are spaced apart (unlike belt 1 where they are almost in contact) and can therefore be easily unwound and separated for use.

[0059] Essentially, the assembly of drawing-in means 103 embodies a system of selective drawing-in means.

[0060] Further details of a preferred embodiment are shown in Fig. 2. The drawing-in means 103A comprises a belt 104 with internal toothing 105 and a support 106 pneumatically rotatable about a central shaft 107. The entire body of the drawing-in means 103A is pivoted about said shaft 107 between a setup inclined towards the reel 101 and a setup inclined towards the reel 102. The other drawing-in means are similarly embodied, each comprising a conveyor belt and a structure inclinable about said shaft 107. In the example, the drawing-in means 103B is inclined towards the reel 102.

[0061] The winder includes two counter-rotating drive shafts 108, 109 which have external toothing capable of meshing with the internal toothing 105 of the belts. Each of the drawing-in means 103, according to the inclined position towards the reel 101 or 102, has the toothed belt 104 meshing with one of said two drive shafts, so as to have a direction of feed suitably directed towards the receiving reel.

[0062] In the example, the drawing-in means 103A has a direction of feed V1 such that the strips P falling on the belt 104 of said drawing-in means 103A are led towards the reel 101; the drawing-in means 103B has an opposite direction of feed V2 in order to run towards the reel 102.

[0063] In Fig. 2, line 110 indicates the trajectory of the sheets towards reel 101; it should be noted that the sheets meet the service fabric 210; similarly, line 120 indicates the trajectory of the sheets towards reel 102. In should be noted that lines 210 and 220 indicate the trajectories at the beginning of the reel, while lines 211, 221 indicate the trajectories for an almost complete reel i.e. close to the maximum diameter.

[0064] When the reels 101 and 102 reach their maximum diameter, i.e. the fully loaded condition, and the end-of-reel length has determined the action of the rotary knife 2 (Fig. 1), the winder 100 is advantageously extracted from the line to remove the full reels. The chute 3 (Fig. 1) is raised to direct the sheets, via the belt 4, towards the other winder identical to the winder 100 described so far. Thanks to the presence of two winders, the line can continue to produce without interruption.

[0065] Some sheet-cutting configurations and the corresponding arrangement of the drawing-in means 103 are shown as examples in the diagrams of Figs. 3 to 5.

[0066] In said figures, reference is made to a line comprising a cutting station 300 comprising a series of blades 301 to 305. A rotary knife 2 is located downstream of the cutting station 300. A winder 100 of the type described above, equipped with a series of drawing-in means indicated with references 103-1 to 103-10, is also schematically illustrated.

[0067] The blades 301-305 are controllably positionable in the transverse direction of the sheet width (direction T of Fig. 3) and can also be positioned in contact with the sheet, so as to cut it longitudinally, or in a raised position. By suitably positioning the blades, it is possible to vary the number and width of the parallel sheets generated by cutting.

[0068] Fig. 3 shows a first setting in which only the blade 303 is in an active position in contact with the sheet, the others being in an inactive position. Thus the sheet receives a central cut which divides it into two strips of equal width W1, W2.

[0069] The drawing-in means 103-1 to 103-5 are all arranged in the setup to run towards the reel 102, i.e. inclined towards said reel 102. Said drawing-in means 103-1 to 103-5 form a group arranged to intercept the strip W1 and wind it into said second reel 102. Subsequent drawing-in means 103-6 to 103-10 are inclined towards first reel 101 and, accordingly, direct the strip W2 towards said reel 101.

[0070] The arrows marked in Fig. 3 on the drawing-in means 103 indicate the direction of transport of the respective belts 104. The drawing-in means 103-1 to 103-5 pull the strip W1 forwards towards the reel 102, the remaining drawing-in means 103-6 to 103-10 push the strip W2 backwards towards the reel 101.

[0071] The drawing-in means of Fig. 3 are structurally embodied by conveyor belts, as described above and shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 3 indicates the shaft 107 about which the drawing-in means are inclinable.

[0072] Fig. 3 also shows a preferred way of adjusting the position of the service wraps 210 and 220. The operator has to correctly position said two service wraps so that they are aligned with the position of the sheets running towards the two reels 101 and 102 respectively. In order to achieve this alignment, the position of the outer edge that the wraps must adopt is signalled optically, for example with a laser pointer mounted on an appropriate carriage mobile in the transverse direction T. References 215 and 225 in Fig. 3 represent the laser spots that appear automatically signalled on the edge of the reels of wraps, once the position of the knives 301-305 has been set on the control desk.

[0073] Fig. 4 is graphically similar to Fig. 3 and represents another machine setup in which the blades 302 and 304 cut the product sheet into three strips indicated as W1, W2, and W3. The remaining blades are raised and do not act.

[0074] Therefore, three product strips are formed in the setup of Fig. 4. The drawing-in means 103 are configured accordingly in three groups: a first group 103A comprising drawing-in means 103-1, 103-2 and 103-3 leads the strip W1 towards the reel 101; a second group 103B formed by drawing-in means 103-4 to 103-7 leads the strip W2 towards the reel 102; a third group 103C formed by the last three drawing-in means 103-8, 103-9 and 103-10 leads the strip W3 towards the reel 101.

[0075] For simplicity's sake, in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the drawing-in means 103 are not shown individually; however, the same notation as in Fig. 3, i.e. references 103-1 to 103-10, is used to identify the drawing-in means belonging to the array.

[0076] In Fig. 4, the first reel 101 receives the two side product strips W1 and W3; the second reel 102 receives the central strip W2. The alternating drawing-in between the two reels, such that adjacent strips (for example strips W1 and W2, or strips W2 and W3) are always directed to two different reels, should be noted.

[0077] Fig. 4 shows the positions of the service fabric 210, 220. It should be noted that the service fabric 210 has a full width, substantially equal to the full width of the starting sheet, to accommodate the spaced apart strips W1 and W3. The fabric 220, on the other hand, has a smaller width substantially equal to the width of the central strip W2. The reels are correctly positioned thanks to the optical signalling of the edges 215 and 225.

[0078] Essentially, a full-width reel 101 will be formed on the winder 100 which contains within it the two spaced apart strips W1 and W3, and a reduced width reel 102 equal to the central strip W2.

[0079] The advantage of the possibility of using a correctly positioned service wrap of the width corresponding to the product to be wound will be understood. In Fig. 3, for example, the width of the service wrap essentially corresponds to the width W1, W2 of the two strips cut by the blade 303.

[0080] Fig. 5 shows another setup in which the blades 301, 302, 304 and 305 cut the product sheet into five strips from W1 to W5 and the winder 100 consequently receives five parallel strips of product. Each of said strips has a width substantially corresponding to the width of two drawing-in means 103; the drawing-in means 103 are therefore arranged in pairs alternately in the first setup to run towards the reel 101 and in the second setup to run towards the reel 102.

[0081] In Fig. 5, reel 102 receives the odd-numbered strips W1, W3 and W5 while reel 101 receives the even-numbered strips W2 and W4. Also shown in said figure are the positions of the service fabric 210, 220 and the edges 215 and 225 signalled by the optical pointers.

[0082] Fig. 6 shows a group comprising the drawing-in means 103-6 to 103-10 in plan view. Said Fig. 6 reveals that the drawing-in means form an array transverse to the direction of transport of the product, and can be arranged to intercept different strips of product (obtained from longitudinal cutting of the sheet) and selectively and alternately draw them in towards the reel 101 or 102.

[0083] Fig. 7 shows the drawing-in means in front view and in particular two differently oriented drawing-in means, as in Fig. 2. It can be seen that the belt 104 of one of the two drawing-in means of Fig. 7 meshes with the drive shaft 109 providing the appropriate direction of rotation. Furthermore, a preferred embodiment for controlling inclination is schematically shown, in which a pneumatic rod 140 pushes a carriage 141 within a circular arc guide 142. Said guide is accommodated in the frame of the drawing-in means such that the push or pull of the rod 140 causes the desired inclination.

[0084] In other embodiments, both the displacement of the drawing-in means 103 in a transverse direction and their inclination around the shaft 107 may be manual.

[0085] It should be noted that the simplified representation in Figs. 3-5 may be a graphic representation that appears on the screen of the machine's control and monitoring system. This control and monitoring system can be implemented on a personal computer connected to the machine or on dedicated hardware.

Examples

[0086] As is obvious to a person skilled in the art, Figs. 3-5 are illustrative examples and various other configurations are possible. By way of example, in a preferred application, a 900 mm wide sheet can be processed in the following ways: two 450 mm strips; three 300 mm strips; four 225 mm strips; five 180 mm strips; six 150 mm strips. It is, of course, also possible to use the machine without cutting, in which case the entire sheet of product will be selectively directed to the first reel 101 or to the second reel 102.

Claims

1. Winding device (100) for a sheet product in which:

the winding device is configured to receive the product in the form of a single sheet or in the form of parallel and adjacent strips obtained by longitudinal cutting of the sheet;

the winding device is further configured to wind said strips of product by separately forming a first reel (101) about a first winding axis and a second reel (102) about a second winding axis;

the winding device comprises a plurality of mobile diverter elements (103) configurable such that each product strip is received by a respective single diverter or by a respective group of said diverters;

said diverters (103) being selectively positionable, individually or in groups, in a first setup (103A) adapted for directing a respective strip of product towards the first reel (101) or in a second setup (103B) adapted for directing a respective strip of product towards the second reel (102);

the set of said mobile diverters thus being configurable to direct parallel and adjacent strips of product, fed to said winder, alternately towards the first reel and towards the second reel.

2. Winder according to claim 1, in which said mobile diverters (103) are arranged adjacently to form a row or array transverse to a direction of transport of the product.

3. Winder according to claim 1 or 2, in which said mobile diverters are arranged directly upstream of the reels thereby acting as the drawing-in means of the product strips into the reels.

4. Winder according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each of said mobile diverters is configurable in the first setup or in the second setup with a rotational movement about an axis (107), preferably under pneumatic control.

5. Winder according to any one of the claims comprising an alignment device adapted to displace the mobile diverters individually and selectively in the direction (T) of the width of the sheet.

6. Winder according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said mobile diverters (103) are located above the winding reels, and in which the first setup is a setup in which the mobile diverters form an inclined transport path towards the first reel (101) while the second setup is a setup in which the mobile diverters form an inclined transport path towards the second reel (102).

7. Winder according to claim 6, in which the first reel and the second reel are aligned in the longitudinal direction of transport of the product strips and the group of mobile diverters (103) is located in an intermediate position between the two reels.

8. Winder according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each of said mobile diverters (103) comprises a conveyor belt (104).

9. Winder according to claims 7 and 8, in which each of the mobile diverters comprises a conveyor belt having a closed path, preferably a substantially triangular path, with one side of the path being inclined towards the first reel or towards the second reel depending on whether the mobile diverter is in the first setup or the second setup.

10. Winder according to claims 8 and 9 comprising actuating means (108, 109) of the conveyor belts of each mobile diverter, arranged to actuate the conveyor belts with a running direction directed towards the first reel when positioned in the first setup, and with an opposite running direction directed towards the second reel when positioned in the second setup.

11. Winder according to any one of the preceding claims arranged for winding the product, in both reels, with interposition of a service wrap (210, 220) and comprising for each reel at least one optical pointer adapted for signalling an outer edge position (215, 225) of the service wrap for one or more product strips drawn in towards the respective reel (101, 102), to enable correct positioning of the service wrap with respect to the product strips to be wound.

12. Winder according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a control system configured to automatically arrange mobile diverters according to the number and width of product strips entering the winder.

13. Winder according to claim 12, in which, in the presence of a plurality of parallel strips of product entering the winder, in which the control system is configured to arrange the mobile diverters in an alternating configuration to direct adjacent strips of product alternately to the first reel and the second reel.

14. Machine or line for the continuous production, by calendering, of a laminated sheet product, the machine comprising:

a cutting station arranged to receive a sheet of product and configured to cut said sheet of product longitudinally into a selective number of parallel and adjacent strips;

a winder according to any one of claims 1 to 13 arranged downstream of said cutting station.

15. Machine or line according to claim 14 comprising, downstream of said cutting station, and upstream of said winder, a transverse cutting device.

16. Machine according to claim 14 or 15, comprising two separate winders, each of said two winders being in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a device for selectively feeding the product to only one of said two winders.

Drawing