Apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls

Abstract

 An apparatus (1, 1A, 1B) for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls (6) and the like, comprises a double swinging belt (10) including a top belt (9) for feeding the fabric (19) and a bottom belt (23) for feeding a packaging sheet element (18), or for alternatively feeding a first packaging sheet element (18), by the bottom belt (23), and a second packaging sheet element (37) by the top belt (9), and a swingable cut guiding arm (13) for cutting the fabric (19) and sheet elements (18, 37). Thus, it is possible to make a fabric roll (6) with a "winding recovery" function, by using only two operating stations (2, 3), and package fabric rolls (6) of different heights by using two different height sheet elements (18, 37), thereby eliminating possible sheet scraps and providing a high productivity. The apparatus can operate as a packaging machine (1B) providing a centralized packaging station (3) for different-height fabric rolls (6).

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls and the like, according to the preambles of claims 1, 2 and 3.

[0002] The field of the invention consists of winding rolls of fabrics, and like web materials, and/or packaging said rolls.

[0003] Several methods and apparatus for making fabric rolls and packages are already known on the market, such as:

A) continuous fabric rolls having a preset length, which fabric rolls can comprise defective fabric portions, including printing and weaving defects, and seams joining following fabric pieces and so on,

B) continuous fabric rolls without defective portions, and having a random length, or being interrupted at the first defective fabric portion,

C) preset-length rolls, without any defective fabric portions, since said defective portions are respectively removed and the non defective following fabric pieces are successively wound with overlapped abutting flaps,

D) rolls including only defective fabric pieces,

E) packagings formed by a synthetic material sheet element wound about the rolls to provide a jacket having projecting and closed end portions, by metal rings, thermosealing and so on,

F) packagings formed by a plurality of spaced strip-like windings, for example three synthetic material strips or webs, thermosealed to one another.

[0004] The Italian patent No. 1,295,752 discloses apparata of the above mentioned types, which, starting from a simplest embodiment, are successively modified to perform several winding/packaging processes, i.e. to make with an improved productivity a lot of fabric rolls according to the market requirements and as hereinabove stated. In particular, the apparatus embodiments shown in figures 4 and 5 of the above Italian patent 1.295.752 allow to cut the fabric in lap form, with an automatic recovery of the winding, thereby making fabric rolls of the type C).

[0005] The embodiment shown in figure 4 comprises a swinging cross path or belt portion for alternately feeding the fabric material or packaging sheet, including a single cutter, whereas the embodiment shown in figure 5 comprises two horizontally spaced swinging belts, one for feeding the fabric and the other for feeding the packaging sheet, and two cutters. The apparatus shown in figure 4 of said Italian patent 1,295,752 comprises two working stations, whereas the apparatus shown in figure 5 comprises three working stations. Said swinging belts can swing between a top position substantially coplanar to the fabric or roll conveying plane, and a rest bottom position, in which with said fabric feeding swinging belts a cut guiding contoured cross arm cooperates for clamping the unwound hanging defective fabric, said arm being adapted to swing from a bottom or rest position to a top or active position, in which the associated swinging belt is urged against said swinging arm, in order to press and hold against said swinging arm the defective fabric to be cut, before the cutting operation. Between said swinging belts and cutting guide swinging arm, at the bottom positions thereof, a so-called "defective fabric dropping pit" is formed, in which the defective fabric, upon cutting, is collected in a collecting vessel, or on an output conveyor or the like.

[0006] As disclosed in the above mentioned Italian patent 1,295,752, the winding/packaging apparatus of figure 4 has an operating productivity less than that of the winding/packaging apparatus of figure 5, whereas the latter has a complex and bulky construction requiring two cutters, i.e. three working stations in total.

[0007] Moreover, likewise other prior apparata in this field, the winding/packaging machines or apparata shown in figures 4 and 5 of said Italian patent 1,295,752 are adapted to package fabric roll by using a single packaging sheet supported in the machine. Thus, in order to change the height of the packaging sheet, it is necessary to replace the sheet coil housed in the apparatus with another sheet coil having a different height.

[0008] The provision of a single packaging sheet constitutes a very objectable drawback, since it is frequently necessary to package fabric rolls of different heights, for example a height of 2,000 mm and 2,400 mm, made, for example, by several roll making lines and then randomly load said rolls on a supporting bench to be successively packaged in a packaging machine, without performing any pre- selections of the roll height. In such an event, it is possible to adopt only the three following approaches, which, however, are affected by several drawbacks:

1) to package all the fabric rolls, i.e. of 2,400 mm, which would involve:

• a high packaging sheet scrap amount in packaging fabric rolls having a height of 2,000 mm, with a related increase of the packaging cost,
• a bulky and visually anti-aesthetic formation of a molten sheet crumb at each end portion of the fabric rolls; or

2) to provide the apparatus with an expensive cutting device for cutting away the excess sheet portion at the ends of the smaller height rolls, thereby

• safely preventing anti-aesthetic crumbs for being formed,
• however with an increased packaging cost due to a comparatively high packaging sheet scrap amount, and
• it is moreover necessary to buy the expensive cutting device; or

3) to provide an additional packaging apparatus or machine, which would involve:

• an added cost for buying this additional packaging machine,
• a comparatively additional space for installing the second packaging apparatus and for fitting the required lift trucks for handling the rolls, which space could not be always available.

Summary of the invention

[0009] Starting from the above disclosed status of the art, the aim of the present invention is to provide a fabric roll winding and/or packaging apparatus of the above mentioned type overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art and which, being based on a novel fabric and packaging sheet feeding concept, allows, while holding the operating advantages related to the cutting of the tensioned fabric, to properly clamp the defective fabric to be cut, thereby providing an even fabric roll to be formed and which, moreover, allows:

• with respect to the apparatus shown in figure 4 of the Italian patent 1,295,752, to increase the operating productivity, while using only two operating stations,
• with respect to the apparatus disclosed in figure 5 of the Italian patent 1,295,752, to simplify the apparatus construction, use a single cutter and reduce from three to two the operating stations, while providing a high productivity, and
• to substantially use the inventive functional and constructional concept so as to permit to package different-height fabric rolls with respectively one of two packaging sheets supported in the apparatus.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the above aim is achieved by the apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls, having the features of the independent claims 1, 2 and 3.

[0011] Further advantageous improvements and embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0012] The apparatus according to the present invention provides a lot of important advantages.

[0013] In particular, the provision of a swingable fabric arrangement including two overlapping belts according to the present invention provides the advantage of requiring, in a high performance apparatus, only two working stations and, accordingly, a reduced installation space in which, inside the apparatus, a space sufficient for housing therein an element for collecting the defective fabric laps cut from the fabric roll and/ or housing therein two packaging sheet coils is moreover available.

[0014] A further advantage is that, owing to the invention, also the packaging sheet fed separately from the fabric, and the additional or second packaging sheet are now subjected, after having performed the winding operation or formed the packaging jacket or sleeve, and before the cutting operation, to a proper tension, which is not provided by an additional tensioning component, but by the top belt itself. This, in addition to simplifying the apparatus construction, allows to perform a quick and safely even tensioning through the overall width of the packaging sheet, and an even cutting thereof.

[0015] Moreover, by providing an independent feeding of the fabric and packaging sheet, or of the two individual packaging sheets, it is possible to evenly and accurately supply or feed the fabric and packaging sheets through the overall width thereof, since any slipping of the fabric on the sheet material is prevented from occurring, thereby preventing different frictions through the width of the fabric, or sheet elements, without any formations of folds, in particular on the fabric.

[0016] A further advantage of the invention is that, the roller for holding the packaging sheet on the top belt, (which is not necessary for conveying the fabric), can be supported in an adjoining relationship with the belt and separated therefrom in a very simple and reliable manner by automatic approaching/moving away gravity movements performed with respect to the belt.

[0017] A further advantage is that either one or the other different height packaging sheets can be automatically handled or controlled in a very simple manner depending on the height of the respective fabric roll to be packaged, by per se known and reliable means, such as photocells and the like, said two different height packaging sheets eliminating expensive packaging sheet scraps in smaller height fabric rolls, while preventing any requirements of performing a pre-cutting operation of the excess packaging sheet material at the ends of the packaging sheet jacket, or any formations of anti-aesthetic large packaging end crumbs, without the need of buying a second winding station.

[0018] Further advantageously, the apparatus according to the present invention allows, without any preliminarily modifications or fittings, to also form packages by using belts spaced from one another. Thus, the packaging stations of the apparatus according to the invention can be considered as an universal type of packaging station,

Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Further characteristics, advantages and details of the apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls and the like according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following disclosure of some exemplary embodiments, which are schematically shown, by way of an indicative and not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figures 1 to 9 respectively show a middle longitudinal vertical cross-section view through a fabric roll winding/packaging apparatus, in different working conditions thereof, allowing to form several types of fabric rolls, i.e. having a random or preset length, either with or without defects in the fabric, i.e. with an automatic recovering of the winding,

Figures 10 to 13 show like middle longitudinal vertical cross sections of a packaging apparatus for packaging different height fabric rolls respectively by using one of two packaging sheets having different heights;

Figure 14 shows a like middle longitudinal vertical cross section through a winding/packaging apparatus allowing to form different types of fabric rolls, i.e. either without or with an automatic winding recovery, and to package fabric rolls of different heights by using respectively one of two different height packaging sheets; and

Figures 15, 15A, 15B and 16, 16A and 16B show cross sectional views of end portions of the top belt and associated restraining roller for restraining or holding the packaging sheet of the winding/packaging apparatus shown in figure 14, according to two embodiments thereof.

Description of the preferred embodiments

[0020] Like parts have been indicated in the figures by the same reference characters.

[0021] With reference to figures 1 to 9, there will be disclosed at first the components of the winding/packaging apparatus 1 necessary for providing an easy understanding of the invention, and pertaining to the most pertinent prior art, i.e. that disclosed in the Italian patent No. 1,295,752 which is herein fully incorporated by reference and to which reference should be made for constructional and operating details not herein further disclosed.

[0022] The framework of the apparatus 1 supports a per se known winding station 2, including winding cylinders 2a and 2b, of which the cylinder 2a can be rotatively driven in the two turning directions. The number 3 shows a per se known packaging station, including two packaging cylinders 3a and 3b, of which the packaging cylinder 3a can be rotatively driven in the two turning direction. Thus, the packaging station 3 can operate both as a winding station and, upon cutting the fabric web or piece, an unwinding station for unwinding from the fabric roll 6 supported therein, a defective fabric portion, for cutting away said portion, thereby providing fabric rolls 6 without defective parts, and this either without or with a winding recovery function, as it will be disclosed hereinafter.

[0023] The transfer of the fabric roll 6 from the winding station 2 to the packaging station 3 is performed, in a per se known manner, by an ejector 2c, causing the fabric roll to roll on a transfer path 8, only schematically shown, coupling said winding station 2 to the packaging station 3. A portion of said transfer path 8 comprises the top leg of an endless belt arrangement 9, extending transversely of the apparatus and between two transmission rollers 11 and 12 (figure 2), of which the roller 11 is a drivable roller for rotatively driving the belt 9. Moreover, the belt 9 can swing about the axis of the roller 11, by a cylinder/piston unit, not shown, from a bottom or rest position, under said transfer path 8 (figure 2), to a top or active position, which is substantially coplanar to said transfer path or plane 8 (figure 1).

[0024] The number 13 shows a contoured cross arm, likewise extending transversely of the apparatus and being pivoted at 14a under said transfer path 8 and being adapted to swing, for example by a pinion-rack coupling and associated cylinder/piston unit, not shown, from a bottom position, with a substantially U-shape free end, 14, or rest position (figure 1), to a top or active position (figures 6 and 8), while adjoining the contoured end 14 to a reciprocating cutter 13 which can perform a reciprocating movement transversely of the apparatus, for cutting both the fabric material and packaging sheet, said arm 13 also operating as a bearing abutment during the cutting operations.

[0025] As shown in the drawings, the swinging movement paths of the belt 9 and cut guiding arm 13, if simultaneously followed, would cross one another. Accordingly, the swinging movements, bot upward and downward, are carried out in offset or delayed times, thereby safely preventing the belt 9 and guide arm 13 from impacting against one another.

[0026] A synthetic packaging sheet coil is indicated by the reference number 17, whereas the reference number 18 shows a packaging sheet element. The above disclosed components pertain to a prior art apparatus in which the swinging belt 9 was used for alternatively supplying the packaging sheet, through a sheet feeding assembly, not shown, and the fabric material (embodiment of figure 4 of the Italian patent No. 1,295,752), or only the fabric or only the packaging sheet, with two cutters (see the embodiment shown in figure 5 of said Italian patent No. 1,295,752). For simplicity, and since they can be formed with different embodiments, the apparatus control or driving circuits have not been herein shown.

[0027] Now, according to the present invention, the swinging belt 9 constitutes a top belt of a double belt 10, and is used for performing different jobs, the double belt 10 further comprising a bottom swinging belt 13 analogous to the top belt 9, as hereinafter disclosed.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 9, for making fabric rolls 6, without defects, of the types B) and C), the top swinging belt 9 is used for feeding a continuous fabric web or strip 19, coming from a control apparatus, not shown, and to be wound on the roll 6 already present in the packaging station 3, to replace a defective web portion, previously wound on the fabric roll 6, or to continue the winding of the roll 6 to a preset length and without defects of the fabric. This single windings or turns integrating the fabric roll 6 are embedded into the fabric roll 6 by so-called "winding recovery operations". In figures 1 to 9, the path of the continuous fabric web 19 is defined, as is known, by rollers, of which the roller 21 is shown. For conveying the packaging sheet 18 to the packaging station 3, is used the second swinging endless belt 23, entrained between the rollers 24 and 26 (figure 2) and which can be driven likewise the top belt, or first belt 9, therewith it forms the mentioned double belt 10. The swinging of the belt 23 occurs about the axis of the roller 24, for example as disclosed for the top belt 9. The roller 24 is a drivable roller, which can be driven in a per se known manner, for supplying the packaging sheet 18, the number 27 showing a roller which affects, for example by gravity, the roller 14 for holding or restraining the sheet 28, as it is not supplied for packaging the fabric roll. The path of the sheet 18 is defined by known transmission rollers, for example the roller 28. Finally, the reference number 29 shows a collecting element for collecting the defective fabric laps 32 (figure 7) after having cut away from the roll 6, said collecting element consisting, in the shown embodiment, of a conveyor belt. The reference number 31 shows a so-called "dropping pit" for receiving the fabric laps 32 to be cut, and being formed between the double belt 10 and the cut guiding arm 13 at their bottom positions.

[0029] The winding/packaging apparatus shown in figures 1 to 9 operates as follows:

a) forming and packaging the rolls of type A)
after having formed the fabric roll 6 in the winding station 2 for a present length, independently from the presence of defective fabric portions, the fabric roll 6 is ejected from the winding station 2 and, by rolling on the transfer path 8 and top tape 9, at the upper position thereof, it will arrive at the packaging station 3 (figure 1). After having lowered the belts 9 and 23 to the lower or bottom position (figure 2), the cutting operation is performed, in a per se known manner, that is with the fabric slightly tensioned between the rollers 2b and 3a, as shown in figure 2. Further in a per se known manner, the end/starting flap 6a of the fabric roll 6, initially wound on the roll and then unwound for a length for example of 15 cm, will downward drop or fall, about the cylinder 3a, thereby providing a gap 22, as shown in figure 3, for introducing thereinto the front edge portion 18a of the packaging sheet 18.
After having raised the belts 9 and 23, while arranging the bottom or second belt 23 at its top position (figure 4), and upon feeding the packaging sheet 18, the latter will be fed into the gap 22. Then, the fabric roll 6 will be rotated so as to form the packaging jacket, including a preset coil number. In this connection it should be apparent that, by arranging the cutter 16 at its side rest position, said cutter does not hinder the raising of the belts 9 and 23 to their top or upper position, see figure 5, as it would appear from the drawing. Then, the belts 9 and 23 of the double belt 10 are lowered, thereby forming a loop-shape sheet pocket 33 (figure 5). To provide an accurate cutting of the sheet 18, the latter is tensioned by causing the cut guiding arm 13 to be upward oscillated, to its active position, i.e. by causing it to move toward the blade of the cutter 16 (figure 6). It would be apparent that this tensioning will depend on the specifically designed geometrical and dimensional arrangement of the double belt 10 and cut guiding arm 13. Moreover, it should be apparent that the restraining force provided by the roller 27 on the sheet 18 on the second or bottom belt 23, would be such as to allow a proper feeding of the sheet 18 while preventing, after the cutting operation and possible retraction of the sheet 18, an unthreading or falling of the front edge 18a of the sheet 18 under the pair of rollers 27 and 24.
Then, the packaging operation can be completed as desired, for example by thermosealing the free edge of the packaging sheet on the packaging jacket and the end portions of the packaging sheet projecting from the fabric roll 6, or in any other suitable manner.
From the above disclosure of the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention, it should be self evident the independent feeding operations of the fabric 19 and packaging sheet 18 by using the two overlapping belts 9 and 23 of the double belt 10. Thus, the packaging sheet feeding assembly of the prior art apparatus can be eliminated.

b) forming and packaging of the fabric rolls of type B), i.e. without defective portions and having a random length
in this case, during the winding of the fabric roll 6 in the winding station 2, the apparatus will signal, in a per se known manner, the presence and length of a fabric portion including defects on the roll 6, which defective portion must be removed. Thus, after the detection of said defective portion, the fabric roll 6 will be transferred from the winding station 2 to the packaging station 3, as above disclosed, in which the removal of said defective portion is performed as follows. After having lowered the double belt 10 (figure 2) and cut the fabric (figure 3), as hereinabove disclosed, the defective fabric portion 32 is unwound from the fabric roll 6 (figure 7) and caused to fall under gravity into the dropping pit 31, to be collected on the conveyor belt 29. For accurately cutting away sad defective portion 32, the cut guiding arm 13 is at first rotated to its top or active position, and then is likewise upward rotated the double belt 10, or at least the top belt 9, to cause it to bear against the cut guiding arm 13 (figure 8) thereby clamping against the latter the top portion of the hinging lap 32. Then, the fabric material is evenly cut, in a tensioned condition also in this case (figure 8).
After having relocated to their bottom positions the double belt 10 and cut guiding arm 13, the defective fabric lap 32 is caused to fall under gravity onto the conveyor belt 29, where, owing to the provision of the above mentioned gap 22, it would be possible to perform the packaging operation, as shown in figure 4. In this case, the fabric roll 6 will obviously have a random length, defined by the random provision of the above mentioned defective fabric portion or lap 32.

c) forming and packaging fabric rolls of type C), i.e. by a "winding recovery" type of operation.
It is at first made herein reference to fabric roll of type B) arranged in the packaging station 3, after having removed the first defective fabric portion or lap 32 (figure 8) and downward rotated the double belt 10 and the cut guiding swinging arm 13, as shown in figure 3. At this time, instead of performing the packaging of the roll, a continuation or "recovering" winding operation of the roll 6 is performed, by feeding to the roll 6 the fabric 19 coming from the control apparatus, as shown.

[0030] After having cut away the defective portion or flap 32, the front edge 19a of the fabric 19 will bear on the top belt 9, figure 3, and, more specifically, without interfering against the packaging sheet 18, supported by the bottom belt 23. Thus, it is sufficient to upward rotate the double belt 10, or at least the top belt 9, to bring the latter to its active top position, i.e. allow the front fabric edge or flap 19a to be engaged in the gap 22 (figure 9), in performing the fabric 19 supplying or feeding operation for introducing said edge 19a into the gap 22 of the fabric roll 6. Upon insertion, the fabric roll 6 is further rotated to cause, in a per se known manner, the free end portion 6a of the roll 6 and the fabric portion 19a to be mutually overlapped, thereby continuing the winding of the roll 6 with a controlled fabric, i.e. a fabric which controlled by an upstream controlling device. The winding operation is performed so as to complete the preset length of the fabric roll 6. If, however, in adding the mentioned additional length, defective fabric portions are present, then said defective fabric portion is detected in a per se known manner and removed by cutting according to the invention, as above disclosed.

[0031] It should be apparent that, for achieving a preset length of the fabric roll 6, said fabric roll must contain therein a variable number of undefective fabric pieces, arranged in succession one after the other. Measuring and counting means for performing these operations have not been further disclosed, since they would be per se well known.

[0032] The packaging of the thus obtained fabric roll can be performed successively at will, for example as above shown.

[0033] Likewise for the fabric rolls A) and B), also for the fabric rolls C), the height of the packaging sheet 18 supported in the apparatus 1 is pre-selected depending on the height of the fabric rolls 6 to be made, and, as the height of width of the fabric rolls is changed, it would be necessary to also change the related packaging sheet coil 17 in the apparatus.

[0034] According to the invention, a winding and/or packaging apparatus 1A, specifically designed for packaging fabric rolls 6 of different heights, by using two packaging sheets having different heights and which can be freely selected by the above disclosed double belt 10 is moreover provided.

[0035] Reference is now made to figures 10 to 13, which show a packaging machine 1A according to the invention, in which the individual components also present in the apparatus 1 shown in figures 1 to 9, have been indicated by like reference characters.

[0036] As it should be easily apparent from comparing figures 1 to 9 and 10 to 13, the single difference of the shown apparatus is that in the packaging machine 1A shown in figures 10 to 13, no winding station 2, or fabric feeding station is provided, and that., in addition to a coil 17 of a first packaging sheet 18, which can be fed by the second belt 23, a second coil 36 for a second packaging sheet 37 which can be fed by the first or top belt 9 of the double belt 10 is moreover provided. With the driving roller 11 of the top belt 9, cooperates a per se known restraining roller 38 for restraining the packaging sheet, or the front edge 37a thereof, after the cutting operation and after having packaged a fabric roll. Said restraining roller 38, accordingly, can be fully similar to the roller 27 cooperating with the controllable roller 24 of the bottom belt 23, for restraining or holding thereon the free front edge 18a of the packaging sheet 18, after a completing of a packaging.

[0037] The packaging operation is as follows:

a) packaging by using the packaging sheet 37.

[0038] With reference to figure 10, it is supposed that the fabric roll 6 has been wound in a packaging jacket formed, in a per se known manner, by a plurality of packaging sheet 37 coils, as supplied on the top belt 9 arranged in its active position. The cutting of the packaging sheet 37 is performed (figure 12) after having lowered the swinging belts 9 and 23 to their rest position and raised to its active position the cut guiding arm 13. The latter, after the cutting, is then downward rotated to its rest position, to perform the packaging operation in a per se known manner.

[0039] If, at any desired times, a fabric roll 6 having a different height and requiring the packaging sheet 18 is to be packaged, then, at first, the swinging belts 9 and 23 are upward rotated, to bring the bottom belt 23 to its active or packaging sheet feeding position, figure 12. Then, by operating the roller 24, the front edge 18a, figure 8, is introduced into the gap 22 of the fabric roll 6, to successively form the packaging jacket or sleeve formed by the desired number of sheet 18 coils.

[0040] The packaging sheet 18 is tensioned, before cutting it (figure 12), as above disclosed with respect to the cutting of the packaging sheet 18 in the winding/packaging apparatus 1 shown in figures 1 to 9 and disclosed with reference to figures 5 and 6.

[0041] According to the invention, the selection to use either the packaging sheet 18 or the packaging sheet 37, depending on the height of the respective fabric roll 6 to be packaged, is automatically performed by detecting the width of the fabric roll 6 to be packaged, for example by using detection photocells, not shown, and by using the detection signals provided thereby for switching on the feeding of one or of the other of the packaging sheets 37 or 18. This can be performed by one skilled in the art in a lot of simple manners.

[0042] A thus designed apparatus 1A can also be used, in particular, for packaging fabric rolls 6 of different heights made on a plurality of winding apparatus and randomly or loosely fed to a central packaging point, formed by the packaging apparatus 1A, thereby providing a quick and accurate and aesthetically pleasant packaging, without expensive fabric scraps, and this practically through the overall range of the possible different heights of the fabric rolls and the like.

[0043] According to the invention, it is moreover possible to support on the supporting shaft of the packaging sheet coils 17, 36 a plurality of thermosealing tape strips, for example three, of polyethylene or the like, spaced from one another for closing the fabric roll for example by three spaced "taping arrangements", as per se known and not shown.

[0044] As required by the user, in addition to a closure by the mentioned three closing tapes or "taping arrangements", even a further packaging through the overall height of the roll can be performed, by a packaging sheet jacket, in which case the packaging sheet cannot be engaged in a gap of the fabric roll, since said fabric roll will be closed by the mentioned closing tapes. In this case, the packaging sheet is prefixed on polyethylene or the like tapes by a thermosealing operation. This type of packaging too can be performed by also using the double belt 10 including the two overlapping swinging belts 9 and 23. Accordingly, the packaging apparatus 1A according to the invention can also be defined as a "universal" packaging apparatus.

[0045] Reference is now made to figure 14, showing a winding/packaging apparatus 1B using two packaging sheets 18, 37 of different heights, which is conceptually formed by combining a winding/packaging apparatus 1 as shown in figures 1 to 9 and a packaging apparatus 1A as shown in figures 10 to 13.

[0046] In this apparatus 1B, the top belt 9 of the double belt 10 can accordingly be used both for feeding the fabric 19, for example for making fabric rolls of types B) and C), and for feeding a packaging sheet, as shown at 37; in this case, the fabric piece 19 will slide on an underlying starting for portion of the packaging sheet supported on the top belt 9.

[0047] Figure 14 shows that the apparatus 1B operates to package a fabric roll 6 in its packaging station 3, whereas in its winding station 3 is formed a fabric roll 6A.

[0048] For assuring that the front edge of the packaging sheet 18 is always correctly inserted into the gap 22 (figure 3) according to the present invention to the front roller 26 of the second swinging endless belt 23 is associated a preferably adjustable upper guiding element, advantageously an upper roller 26a as shown for example in figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 10. Said roller 26a can be an idle or a driven roller and it can be supported by the frame or similar supporting said front roller 26 in any suitable way at a small distance from said front roller 26, wherein said distance substantially corresponds to the thickness of said packaging sheet 18.

[0049] For preventing the fabric 19 and packaging sheet 37 from overlapping, according to the invention, and as shown in figures 15 and 16, means allowing to remove/apply the start edge 37a of the packaging sheet from/to the top belt 9, or on said top belt 9, thereby allowing the fabric 19 to be freely fed onto said top belt 9, are required.

[0050] To that end, for example, the restraining roller 38 can be gravity radially movably supported in longitudinal slots 40 provided on the inner sides of the end arms 41, pivoted at 42 on an axis coinciding with the rotary axis of the controllable roller 11, in a freely rotatable manner with respect to the latter between a packaging sheet 37 feeding position (figures 15A and 16A) and a downward swung position, for feeding the fabric piece 19 (figures 15B and 16B). The bearing by gravity of the restraining roller 38 on the roller 11 and the removal thereof, always under the gravity effect, from the latter, are performed in an automatic and reliable manner, without the need of providing further controllable components, but only depending on selected geometrical conditions. More specifically, the removal of the front end 37a of the packaging sheet 37 to disengage it from the top belt 9 or roller 11, can be performed in any suitable manner. For example, said roller 38 can comprise a plurality of perimetrical throughgoing holes or slots 46, to provide a pneumatic type of adhesion (figure 15A) or a suction type of adhesion on the suitably arranged edge 37a. Alternatively (figures 16, 16A, 16B), it would be possible to provide a cross member 43 coupling arm members 41 and bearing thereon fork fingers 44 provided, at their free end portions, with a suction cup or the like 45, for taking/releasing said front edge 37a. In this case, the suction cups 45 will be coupled to a pipe, not shown, in turn coupled to a negative pressure source, also not shown. Said negative pressure source can also be connected to the inside of the hollow roller 38 (figures 15, 15A and 15B) for providing the above mentioned pneumatic adhering/releasing of the packaging sheet edge 37a. In this connection it should be apparent that the mentioned taking/releasing means for taking/releasing the front edge 37a of the packaging sheet can also be replaced by other technically equivalent means, for example of a gripper type, as is conventional in handling paper sheets in printing machines. Like means, in part per se known, can also be provided for the fabric material.

[0051] From the above constructional and functional disclosure it should be apparent that the inventive apparata 1, 1A and 1B for winding fabric into rolls and/or for packaging said fabric rolls, fully achieve the above mentioned aim and the disclosed advantages.

[0052] In practicing the invention, one skilled in the art can perform constructional modifications and/or design functionally equivalent components, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for winding fabric rolls and/or packaging said fabric rolls and the like, said apparatus substantially comprising:

- a winding station,

- a packaging station arranged downstream of said winding station,

- a coupling path for transferring a fabric roll from said winding station to said packaging station,

- a portion of said connecting path being formed by a controllable cross belt which can be oscillated from a bottom or rest position, under said connection path, to a top or active position, substantially coplanar with said connecting path for feeding a packaging sheet or a fabric for performing a winding recovery operation,

- a cut guiding contoured cross arm, swingably supported under said connection path, and adapted to be oscillated from a bottom or rest position to a top or active position for bringing said arm near to a transversely reciprocating cutter for cutting both said fabric and packaging sheet, in which, as said swinging belt and swinging cut guiding arm are upward oscillated, said belt and said arm are rotated toward one another other, characterized:

a) in that, under said swinging or first belt (9), a second swinging belt (23) is arranged, said second swinging belt (23) being adapted to be driven and oscillated between a bottom or rest position and a top or active position, said first and second swinging belts (9, 23) thereby forming a double overlapping swinging belt (10),

b) in that, independently from said connecting path (8), the first belt (9) operates both for feeding the continuous fabric (19) for forming said fabric rolls with a winding recovery function, and tensioning said packaging sheet (18) before cutting said packaging sheet (18),

c) in that said second belt (33) operates for feeding a packaging sheet (18) into a gap (22) of said fabric roll (6) to be packaged and being adapted to pre-form a tensioning loop (33) for tensioning said packaging sheet (18), with said second swinging belt (29) being associated, in a per se known manner, a roller (27) for restraining said packaging sheet (18), and

d) in that a per se known collecting element (29) for collecting defective fabric laps (32), to be cut away from the fabric roll (6) in said packaging station (3), is moreover preferably provided.

2. A packaging apparatus (1A) for packaging fabric rolls and the like, comprising:

- a packaging station,

- upstream of said packaging station, a controllable belt for feeding a packaging sheet to said packaging station, said belt being adapted to be oscillated or swung from a bottom or rest position to a top or active position, for feeding a packaging sheet,

- a cut guiding cross contoured arm, which can be oscillated under said packaging station, from a bottom or rest position to a top or active position to be moved near a transversely reciprocating cutter for cutting said fabric and/or packaging sheet, in which, as said swinging belt and said cut guiding swinging arm are upward oscillated, said belt and arm rotate toward one another,

characterized

A) in that, under said swinging or first belt (9), a second controllable swinging belt (23) which can swing from a bottom or rest position to a top or active position is arranged, said first and second swinging belts (9, 23) forming a double overlapping swinging belt (10),

B) in that said first belt (9) operates for feeding a first packaging sheet (18),

C) in that the second belt (23) operates for feeding a second packaging sheet (37), having a height or nature different from the height or nature of the first packaging sheet (18), to the gap (22) of the fabric rolls (6) to be packaged and then to form a loop (33) for tensioning said second packaging sheet (37) in which with both said first and second swinging belt (9, 23) restraining means (38, 37) for restraining said packaging sheets (37, 18) are associated,

D) in that the swinging contoured arm (13) provides a tensioning or bearing abutment for cutting both said packaging sheets (18, 37), by cooperating with said first belt (19) for the first packaging sheet (18) and per se for the second packaging sheet (37), and

E) in that in said apparatus (1A) are supported the two sheet (37, 18) coils (36, 17) for alternatively feeding said packaging sheets into the gap (22) of said respective fabric roll (6) to be packaged.

3. An apparatus (1B) for winding fabric rolls and/or packaging said fabric rolls and the like, according to Claim 1,
characterized in that said apparatus comprises the features from B) to E) of Claim 2, and that said restraining roller (38) for restraining said packaging sheet and associated to the transmission roller (11) of the top belt (9) is supported so as to be separated from and moved toward said roller (11) for feeding toward the fabric roll (6) in said packaging station (3) respectively a fabric (19) and a packaging sheet (37).

4. An apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls and the like, according to one or more of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second or bottom belt (23) has a length less than that of the first or top belt (9).

5. An apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls and the like, according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the supporting means for supporting said packaging sheet coils (17, 36) are housed inside said apparatus (1A, 1B).

6. An apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls and the like, according to Claim 3, characterized in that said packaging sheet (37) restraining roller (38) is swingably supported to be moved toward or away from said controllable cylinder (11), automatically by gravity, wherein said restraining roller (38) is associated with means for restraining/releasing a start edge (37a) of said packaging sheet (37).

7. An apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls, according to Claims 6, characterized in that said restraining roller (38) is supported, so as to be driven under gravity, by guides (40) of arms (41) pivoted (at 42) on the rotary axis of said controllable roller (11) of said top belt (9), so as to swing from a top packaging sheet (37) restraining position to a bottom position for detaching said packaging sheet (37) from said controllable roller (11).

8. An apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls, according to Claims 6 and/or 7, characterized in that said restraining means for restraining/releasing said starting edge (37A) of said packaging sheet (37) comprise a plurality of perimetrical throughgoing slots (46) in said restraining roller (38) tightly coupled to a negative pressure source, or cup suction element (45) fixed on fork fingers (32) coupled to a cross member (43) rigid with the arm (41) supporting said restraining roller (38) and connected to a negative pressure source.

9. An apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls, according to one or more of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said means for restraining/releasing said front edge (37a) of said packaging sheet (37) comprise controllable gripper elements.

10. An apparatus for winding and/or packaging fabric rolls, according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that to the front roller (26) of said second endless belt (23) is associated an adjustable upper guiding element for the packaging sheet (18), for example an idle or driven roller (26a) at a small distance from said front roller (26), wherein said distance substantially corresponds to the thickness of said packaging sheet (18).

Drawing