CA2140712A1 - Method and apparatus for forming pads - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for forming padsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2140712A1 CA2140712A1 CA002140712A CA2140712A CA2140712A1 CA 2140712 A1 CA2140712 A1 CA 2140712A1 CA 002140712 A CA002140712 A CA 002140712A CA 2140712 A CA2140712 A CA 2140712A CA 2140712 A1 CA2140712 A1 CA 2140712A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sheet element
- tape
- composite band
- pad
- layer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 23
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 46
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 239000002390 adhesive tape Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims 3
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 13
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 11
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 241000905957 Channa melasoma Species 0.000 description 2
- AYFVYJQAPQTCCC-GBXIJSLDSA-N L-threonine Chemical compound C[C@@H](O)[C@H](N)C(O)=O AYFVYJQAPQTCCC-GBXIJSLDSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002844 continuous effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000726103 Atta Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000518994 Conta Species 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000410536 Esme Species 0.000 description 1
- 102100031415 Hepatic triacylglycerol lipase Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 101000941289 Homo sapiens Hepatic triacylglycerol lipase Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241001296096 Probles Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001327627 Separata Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- VKYKSIONXSXAKP-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexamethylenetetramine Chemical compound C1N(C2)CN3CN1CN2C3 VKYKSIONXSXAKP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003550 marker Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
- NWONKYPBYAMBJT-UHFFFAOYSA-L zinc sulfate Chemical compound [Zn+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O NWONKYPBYAMBJT-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42C—BOOKBINDING
- B42C9/00—Applying glue or adhesive peculiar to bookbinding
- B42C9/0081—Applying glue or adhesive peculiar to bookbinding applying adhesive to individual sheets for binding them together
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42C—BOOKBINDING
- B42C3/00—Making booklets, pads, or form sets from multiple webs
Landscapes
- Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
- Collation Of Sheets And Webs (AREA)
Abstract
A method and apparatus for forming a pad (1) having a plurality of sheet elements (2) interconnected along an edge portion (3) thereof by adhesive tape (4). The method includes feeding a strip of sheet element material (29) to a tape applying station (46), applying adhesive tape to the sheet element strip in such a manner as to overlap an edge portion (3) thereof to form a composite band (56) of material, superimposing a plurality of layers of the composite band (56) at a pad formation facility (59 in order that the overlapping tape portion of one layer adheres to an immediately adjacent layer to form a pad block.
Description
'~ ~ i3~ 'E. LIF~ 1?!d~ ol~ '?
MT~C~ A~ A~pA~ s FOR ~ORMrNG PAI~S
Thi~ in~ention re~ates to pad~ o~ t~e kind whic~ arc ~ade up of a plurality of sheets stack~d one upon the oth~r, and each of which may b~ ad-pted tD carry information which i5 applie~ a~ required. The invention is concerned with a met~od and apparatus for formi~ such pads, and par~icularlY ~uch pads w~ieh h~ve ~heet~ forme~
o~ paper, a paper based material, or any other suita~le material.
;0 An ~ample pad of the foregoing kind is described in the spe~ f ication of ~ustralian Patent 52Z249 . Th~t specifica~ion al~o describe~ a methed an~ ~pparatus for for~ing the pad. T~e ~pparatu8 desc~i~e~ _n that patent includes n elongate work surface on which s~ccessive laye~s of indlvidual sheet element~ ~re placod, one cn top of anothes, With each sh-et element haYing a layer of adhesive ta7e applied to ar~ edge thereo~. The ~dhesi~e tape overlaps the edge to whtch it is applied, so th~t it adheres to the layer of tape of the shee~ strip lccated d~rectly underneath an~ a plurality of such layers serv~
to form the ~ad. The method described tn that pa~ent, incluaes pro~ision o~ sh~et portions o~ a su face area suÇficient to for~ a plur~lity of pads, and pa~ blocks _ormed of those shee~ portions are passed throagh a ?5 gu~llotine or the like to di~ide each 410ck into a plurality of pads of the elected size.
In accordance witn t~at prior me~hod, a pad blocl~
could be formed by two parallel, spac-d apart Sub-~locks of sheet portions, individual layers of which are sec~red ~ogether in a spaced-apart co~fiquration by the sel~-adhesive tapc. Each secti~n of that ~ape not onl~ serves ~o adhere the sheet portions of e~ch separate su~-bloc~
together, but al50 ser~es tO adhere to~ther adjacent overl~ing sheet portions of each spaced apart su~-b.o~k.
The composite pa~ blo~k thU~ forme~ is gui~lotine~ through the centerline of the tape jun~tio~ e~isting between ~he sub-blocks in or~er to separate them. The separ~ted su~-~locks can be ~rther guillotined as necessary, if the len~th of the sub-block i8 5u~ficient to form a plurality ~s O ~ lA
~.~3....9 3 ~ C F~ 2~ f . ~
~lqO?~2 of indi~idual p~ds len~thwi~e.
While machines ~cording to the a~o~e patent are satisfactory in pro~u~ing pa~s of good qual~ty, the elongate work surface iR ~umbe~so~e 2nd requir~s the presence o~ two operator~. Further, the tape application is time consuming and requires particularly a~c~rate positioning of ~he SAeet po~tionB~
It is an o~ject of the present invention to o~e~ome or at leas~ minimise the aforementioned proble~s. It is a ,o parti~ular o~ject of the in~cntion to pro~ide an improved m~thod and apparatus for forming multi-sheet pae~ of t~e kind in ~hich adj~ent sheets are relGas~ atta~hed to one another by a ~trip of adhesive ta~e.
Ac~ording to the pr~sent inventicn there is provide~
a method of forming a pad having a plurality of sheat elemen~s interconnected along an edge portic~ thereo~ by adhesive tape, said methGd inc~u~n~ feeding a strip of sheet element material to a tape app}ying ~tation, applying adhesive tape tc caid s~eet ele~ent strip in such a manner as to overldp ~n edge portion th~r~of to form a compcsite band of m~terial, ~uperimposing a pl~rality of layers of said compo~ te band a~ a pad formatio~ facility in order t~at the o~erl3pping t~pe ~or~io~ of one layer ~dheres to an im~e~iately aaiacen~ layer to form a pad block.
In a preferred form of the method, th~ composite ~and passes throush a separation s'ation at whi~h it is cu~ or ~herwise severed tr~neversely to form s parate porti~ns of square or re~tangular form. Each such por~ion 3~ is com~osed of a section o~ the material ~tr~p pre~iously referred to, and a sectlon o~ adhes~e tape. The square or rectangular portions so for~ed are ~perimposed on top of o~e another to for~ a primar~ stack in which ea~h section of adhesiYe tape overlies and is alisned wi~h adja~ent sections of ~hat tape.
The adhesive tape is preferably appli~d on a ccntin~ous basis at the tape applying station so that a ~omposite band of mate~ial emerges from that statio~, The present invention a m~chine for forming a p~d r 13~5 1~` -6 ?ErrLlF~ OR~ rl tl 3 ~ 3~ 73 r v/~
7 :~ Z
h~ing a plurality of sheet elements intarconnected along an edge portion tnereo~ ~y adhesive tape, said apparatus incl~ding feed ~eans for feedi~g a strip of sheet element m~teri~l to tap~ applying means which is operative to apply adhesive tape to said shcet el~ment strip, said application being such that the tape e~tends in the longitudinal direction of the sheet element -~trip ~nd overlie~ a longit~dinal edge portion of said strip so as to adhere to that edge portion and form a ~omposite ~and of ~aterial, succes~ive layers of sai~ composite band ~eing assem~led t~gether at a pa~ for~ation facility such t~at suc~essi~e layers are adhe-ed to ~he immediately adjacent layer by the adhesive tape to fo~ ~ pad ~lock.
The com~osite ~and may then be fed to a pad formation facilityr where layers of the c:omposite band are assembled in such a manner tha~ successive layers a~e adhered io the immedi~tely adjacent ~ayer by the adhesi~e tape. Pads formed in thi~ manner may be further procesced as ne~essary, particularly ~f they a~e formed as large pad blOC~S whieh requ~r~ guillotining or other lik~ processing -o red~lce the size of the pad blo~k into a plurality of smaller individual pads~
~he ta~1e applying rneans serves 'co apply tape to an ~dge portion o~ the sheet ~le~nent strip in a continuous manner and to enable s~h continuous feed, the tape is prefera~ly provided in the fonn of a tape roll supported on a rotata~le shafe, with the tape ~eing fed on to the applicable edge por~ion as that portion passes in the re~on of the tape roll.
It is alsc prefera~le that the sheet element str~p be in the for:n of a continuou~ roll ~nd that the feeding ~eans inciude a rotatable sh~ft, on w~ich the roll is rotata~l~ supported. Such an arrangement enables the fee~
~,eans to continuously feed the pad material to the tape ~5 applying station.
The pad ~ormation facility preferably in~ludes separ~ting m~an~ 'or separoting discrete sheet element portions ~lom the compo~ite band. ~he separating means preferably includes e rot~ry knife edge cu~ting as~embly, 3 ^ ; 5 ' ~ C ~ r ~ r L ~ 3 n l ~ l n / 3 1 21~71~
whi~h may be elect~onically controll~d to rotate at an ~ppropri~te freguency suitable to separate sh~et element portions of a parti~ular len~th ~el~tive to L~e feed rate of the sheet element sttip. T~e electronic control may include ~ensing ~eans which operates to sense when a rotation of th~ rota~y ~utting as~e~ly is required an~
su~h sensing mea~s may inclu~e an e~ectroni~ eye which operates to sense appropriat~ m~rkers. It is ~referable tha~ marker~ either ~e prirt~d on the pad sheetlng, or be located on a ~ali~r~ted rotating disc ~hich rotatcS ~. a rate fi~d relative to the rat~ at which the sheet element strip i5 ~ed fro~ the feed means.
The pad fc~mation fa~ilitr may ~urther include mean~
to con~ey tho sheet element portions to a location where 1~ they may be assembled one upon another, in a manner whi~h forms a pad blo~k of the sheet eleme~t portions. The conveying means ~ay includo ~uction means ~nd a con~eyor belt such that each sheet element portion may be moved into ~on~act with ~he ~on~eyor belt ~nde~ the e~ect of 20 the su~ion to ~uch an e~tent t~t the sheet element portion moves with the conveyor ~nd is conveyed t~ the asse~ly location. At the assembl~ location, release me~ns may be ~ployed to rel~4~e the sh~e~ ~lement p~rtion fro~ the ~uction effe~t. Su~cessi~e sheet element Z5 portlons may ~e released at the same location, ~ith the adhesive layer of one sheet elemen~ portion ad~2ring to the preceding sheet element portion. Pressure mean~ may ~e e~ployed to e~sure adeguate adh~sion between successive sheet ele~ent portions and such pressure means ~ay form part Oc t~e release ~ean5.
In a preferred form of the invention, the sheet element strip is of a width e~ivalent to at ~eas~ the minimu~ width of two sheet elements which are to eventually fo~m the pads accord~'ng to the invention. In this embo~iment, the apparatus a~cording to the inv~ntion includes cutting means l~cated prior to the t~zing station to separate the pad material longitud~nally into a Qlurality o~ r~dueed width sheet element se~tions app~oxim~tely eq~al to the desired ~idth of the e~entual 3 3~ 1 5 ~r~ P i ' L P` f r~ lC-~ f~ ~. 3~7~ ?. ~
#heet elements, It i~ generally envisaged that th~ sheet element st~ip will be separated into t~ reduced width shR~t el~me~t atrip~ only, altho~gh any number of redu~ed width strips may be separata~ from the o iginal sheet element s~rip. It is al54 genorally envisaged th~t the reduced width strips will be o4 e~ual width al~houg~
agaln, that is not abso~utsly necessary.
The cutting means may ~i~ply slit the sheet ele~ent ~trip, or it may remove an intermediate section. In this latter ca~e, tape ~an t~en ~e applied to the opposed edges of the newly formed reduce~ width strip~ prefera~ly ~y a single roll of tape, which roll is of suffici~nt ~idth to overlap both of the opposed edges, thereby formin~ a composite band of sp~ced a~art sheet element ~ortions.
Pad blo~s formed from such a composite band ~ay ~e further procRssed to ~ever the tape co~ne~tion e~isting between adjacent reduced width strips and t~is may ~e achieved ~y guill~tining, ~lthough other means may be appropriate to achieYe this.
In order to assist in arri~ing at an understanding of the present in~ention, a pre~e~red embodiment is illustrated in the attached drawings. ~owever, it should ~e ur~derstood that the following des~~iption i5 _'lus'rative only and should not be t3ken in any way as a restri~tion on the generality c~ the invention as descri~ed above.
Figure 1 shows a ~r~or art pad o~ a type to ~e m~nuf ac ~ured by the present invention.
Figure 2 show~ a schematic vi ew of a machine ~0 ac~ording to the present invention.
Figure 3 shows ~ pQrspective vie~ of a feeding ar.angement.
Figure 4 shows ~ plan v~ew o~ a cutting disk assembly.
Figure ~ shows a perspective view of a tapi~g station.
Fig~re 6 shows a schematic view o an alternative taping station.
Figure 7 shows a perspe~tive v~ew of a pad ~ormation J ~ 1~. 1 V 9 v I . v P .. .;; I . ` 1, P~ . 4 . . ~ 1 v ? . 3 / . .
f aci l~ ty .
Figure 1 is a repr~du~tion of the Figur~ 1 which is illustrated in Aust~alian Pa~ent No. 522249, although seve~al of th~ reerence numerals have been removed. That figure sho~s a pad gene~ally indicated by the numeral 1 and including a plural;ty of sheet elements 2 eaeh having an edge portion 3. A striP o~ ~elf-adhesive tape 4 is adh~red to e~ch of the shee~ elements 2 along the edge portion~ 3. Each strip o ta~e 4 has a po~tion 5 thereof overlappin~ it6 respective edge pottion 3 ~d r~movably adhering to the overlapping por~ion 5 of the immediately ad;acent strip of tape 4. W~th such an arrangement ea~h sheet element 2 and the strip of tape 4 adhered thereto can be remo~ed from the pad 1 and subse~uently a~hered to an obj~t. The descriPtion in Auttrali~n Patent No.
522249 relating to the pad s~own in Figure 1, is hereb~
ino~porat d by cross re~erence. It is deslre~ that a ~achine acccrding to the prQsent inv~ntion be capa~le of use in a p~ocess to produce pads simil~r in for~ to those shown in ~igure 1.
Figure 2 sh~s a schemetic layout of ~ ~.achine 10 acco~ding to the present ~nvention which is suit~le to manu~acture a pafl ~ lar to that shown in Figure 1. The layout i~ indica~ive of the principle on which the mac~.ine operates, bu' is not to sc~le and does not show parts o~
the ~achine su~h as the su~portinq f rame. Fi~re 2 is merely an illustration showing the basi~ Components of d machine according to one embodiment of the ~nvention. ~he ~achine 10 include6 feeding means ~ene~ally indicated by 3C the n~m~ral 11. Whil~ the feeding ~.eans may take any one o' a number of forms, in the embodiment shown, the feeding ~ans 11 includes a rotata~le sha~t 12 on which ~ supply of pad sheeting, in the form of a sheeting ro 1 13, may ~e mounted. In this embodiment, the shaft 12 iS mounted within be~rings 14, which ar~ supported by mo~nting means 15 and the pad sheeting 13 rotates abo~t the a~is of the shaft lZ. In thls em~odiment, the mounting means 1~ is ~ormed as part of the fr~m~ of the machine 10, The eedin$ means 11 may include s~itable ~rak~ o~
~. ia. 99~ ? .~E: LIPC .l~lC.~i~ fl 3 ~ , N . ~37~ .- 3'~.
~40~2 clutch means to prevent uncontr~lled rotation o~ the she~ti~q roll 1~. In the partic~l~r embodiment shown in Figure 3, the ~haft 12 incl~des a Bpur gear 16 and this engages a geared ring 17 connected to the inside o~ a rotat~le disc le. The rotation of the ~isc 1~ is restricted under the influence of pressure ~pplied to ~t by the disc brake 19 and th~s a braking force is applied to the ~haft 12 ~hroush the spur gear 16 and the geared ring 17. The disc brake 19 pr~f~r-bly operates under the e~fect of pneumatic pressure which may be varied by m~ns of a pressure regulator 20.
An ~lectronic clu~h arrangement may alt~ nati~ely be u~ed and many ~n~wn clut~h arr~n~em~nts may ~e appropriate. rlectroni~ control of the ~lutch ~rrangement ad~antagecusly pro~ide~ high pr~cssion cont~ol o~ the te~sion in ~he sheeting roll 13, so that cs the diameter of the roll de~rease~ and the rotational velocity of t~e roll increase~, cons~ant tension in the sheet ~eing eaken Cro~ the sh~etin~ roll can be maintained.
GO The feedlng means 11 may also include loading means suitable to fac~litate loading oC the sheeting roll 13 into position on ~he mounting means ~5. Suitable loading means 21 are generally shown ~artly in ph~ntom in ~igure 3. While anly one side of the loading me~ns is shown in 2~ Fisure 3, a duplic~te arrangement to that shown is preferably located on the opposite 5ide o,f the machine 10. The lo~ding mean~ 21 includes lif'ing ~rms 22, plvotable about the a~is of the shaft 2~ ~nd actuated ur.der th~ action of a pneumati~ actuator 24, althoush an~
othe- suita~le actuator m~y be appliea.
To load a sheeting roll 13, the rotatable shaf t 12 is firstl~ insert~d into the desired sheeting roll 1~ and ~hen the shaft 12 and the roll 13 ~re manoeuvered into a position adiacent the notched ends 25 of the li~ting arms 3~ 22. Uyon actuation of the pneumatic a~tuator 24, outward moYement of the piston 26 causes the liftins arms 22 to pivot a~oout the shaft 23, thereby r~ising the notched ends 25 of the arms 22 which ser~es to engage t;ne suitably positioned rotatable shaft 12. ~po;l further outward i u~n 1~3~ r ~ IPS CR~ Q~3 214~7~
estension of the pisto~ 26, the liÇting arms 22 act to lift the rotatable sh~t 12 ~nd a~-ached s~eeting roll 13. The ar~s 22 continue to lift th~ ~oli 13 u~til th~
rotatable shaft ~2 is adiacent the mo~nting means 15, such that it can be manoevered and loaded into the mounting ~eans 15. Once mounted, the ~iston 2~ may be retraoted to ret~rn t~e lifting arms 22 to their initial re~ position ready for loading or unloading the rotata~ie ~haft~sheetinc roll assembly as neces~ary.
To securely locate the rotatable shaft 12 ~ithin the mounting ~eans 15~ u ciamping ar~ngement may be employed. Wh le othe~ forms of clam~ing a~r~n~ements may be applicabl~, th~ clamping ~rran~ement show~ ig~re 3 includes ~ lever ~7 which clamps a cross-bar 2A into 1~ position against an upper surface of the bearing 15. This clamping arrangement is ef~ective in ~e~urely locating the rotata~le 8haft 12 and also allows simple, one ~ovement releasing of the ~amp by hand. Suc~ clamps are ~uitable for locatlon on the bearings 14 on either slde of the ~0 rotatable shaft lZ~
As discussed previously, it is prefera41e that ~he sheeting roll 13 h~ve a width eq~ivalent to at least the mini~um width of t~O sheet ~lQ~ents 2, each o~ which wlll even_~ally form the basis of a p~d such as th.at shown in ~5 ~igure 1. The mach ne 10 shown in Figure ~ is designed to ac~ommodate a sheeting roll 13 of s~ch a width dimenslon and the advanta~e of this asse~bly ~ill become apparent he~einafter.
The sheeting ~oll 13 fe~ds a continuou~ sheet 29 thre~gh the machine 10 in the direction o~ arrow A. The sheet 29 passes a~ound roller shafts 30 and 31, inbetween which may ~e located tensioning means tO apply tension asainst the sheeting rol'. T~e tensioning means sh~wn in ~igu~e 2, is in the fo,m of a t~nsionin~ b~r 32, which is of a substantially recta~gul~r cor.figuration and is ~ounted so as to be rotatable about its lon~itudinal a~is, although the aYis of rotation may in one embodiment be located toward one edge of the bar~ The tension force eYerted on the sheet 2~ is variable depending on the ~ .3c~ 8 ~: LIPS 'l?.~oNL~ l4l~ ,3. ~,7~ ? il~'3i 2l~107~
ori~nt~tion of the bar 32 with r~spec'c to the she~t 29 and ~ill increase 57radually a~ the !:~ar ~2 ~s rotated in the rection of ar~ow 13 to the po5ition indic~ted in phan~om in Figure Z. Further rotation in thi6 direction will serve tO further increase the tension on the sheet 29, although overtensioning may serve to tear or other~is~
damage the sheet ~g.
The tensioning means ma~ be dispensea with where suitable control of the 5heet tension is ~aintained by oth~r mean5 such ~s the brake or electrcnic ClUtCh arrangement~ previously disc~ssed. A ten~ioninq sensor may however ba adopted to feed a 5ignal ~ack to the control statio~ of the brake or clut~h arrangement, 5G
that that arran~ement m~y self ad~us~ to maintain a Constant tension.
With ~ appropriate sized sheetin~ roll 13, the sheet 29 may then he esposed to a ~uttin~ a~se~bly and a suitabie cutting a~sembly is generally indicated by the rlu~eral 33 in Figur- 2. The cuttirlg assembly 33 is zc loca~ed ~fter roller ~haft 34 and is sho~ in more det~il in Figure 4.
The cutting assembly 33 o~ Figure 4, preferably inclu~es a ~utting wheel 35 having two spaced apart ann~lar knife edges ~6, although the configura~icn o~ the ~S knife edges may vary from that shown. The cutting wheel 35 may be rotatably mounted o~ a shaft 37 by virtue of suita~le bearings (not shown~. A wheel 30 is rotatably ~ounted on a shaft 3~ ~nd is located in the space 40 be weon the knife edge~ 36 of ~che cutting wheel 35. As 30 the sheet 29 passes ~et~ee~ the ~utting wheel 35 and the wheel 38, it is pushed ag~inst both of the knife ed~es 36 and the segment 41 o th~ sheet 2g is severed, thus creating two separate sheet portions 42 and 43 separated by a distanc~ equivalent to the Width of the s~sment 41 which is le~ved. As an alternative, the cut~ing assem~l~
may only include one knife cdge 36, whereby the sheet 29 will be slit ~nstead of having the section 41 rerno~red.
While the whe~l 38 is ~l~own in Figure 4 as proje~ting slightly within the spa~e 40 between the _ 9 _ ~ ;3~ ~c,5 ~:5~ .~r" L ?~ ^?~G'~E 6i 3 t~ Ij, 3~
~1~07~2 oppo~itely loca~ed knife edges 36, the diStsn~ shown is r.ot indicative of that reguired fo~ ef~ective operation of the cutting assem~ly, as thi~ ~y ~ary dcpe~din~ on the type of material constituting the sheet 2g. The position of the æhaft 39 ~ preferably variable to enable adjustment of the wheel 38 ~nto ~nd out of the spa~e 40, 5~ch t~t a ~aria~le cutting force is availa~le to be applied where necessary to the sheet 29.
A6 can be appreciGted, the width of the segment 41 lo which i~ removed by the ~tting as~e~bly of Figure 4 can be varied ~y using a cuttin~ wheel 35 having mova~le knife edge~ 36, adjustable along the longitudinal a$is of the shafe 37, or ~y having a selection of eut~ing wheels 35 with differing knife edge spaci~gs. I~ ~he lattçr case, 1~ the wheel. 3~ is preferably repla~eable to suit the particula~ cutt~ng wheel 35 in use ~t any one time.
~ crap removal .means may b~ provided to remove the scrap ~esme~t 41 which is seversd by the cutting ~ssembly 33. In one form, the scrap re~oval means may include a whee: 44 ~hich rotates in a ~irection indicated by arrow C. The wheel 44 is preferably driven in ~ynchronicity with ~he feed ra~e of the sheet 29, or alternatively, a varia~le drive ~otor may drive the wheel 44 so th~t the drive velocity can be re~dily adjusted to the rate at which the sc~ap is to be ~emo~ed.
T~e remoYal of ~crap in t~is em40diment is acco~plished by winding the ~egment ~1 3bout the outer periphery of the wheel 44. It has been found that the se~ment 41 wi~l uind on to t~e wheel 44 without the ~eed 3C to include outer guiding flange~ or the like, unless thete ~s su~icient move~ent in ~ither the segment 41 ar in the wheel 44 to make that necessary.
Alternatively, a scrap receptacle ~ctin5 under ~acuu~ ~ay ~e us~d to receive the scrap seg~ent 41 and to remove ,t under the effect o~ a ~acuum force.
she~t portions 42 and 4~ con~inue ~bout roller sha~t 45 to~a~d the tap~ng station generally indicated ~y ~he ~umeral 46 an~ this is snown in more de~ail ln Figure 5.
T~.e taping station 46 includes ~ supply of seif-adhesive 3 5 ~ . . v ~ r .
2i4~7~2 tape preferably in the form of a tape roll 47 supported by a b~aring ~not shown) locatea on a a~ft 48. ~he sh~ft 4~
may be ~upported bs~ an arm 49 whiCh is ~onnec:ted to a stationary sha~t 50 which in turn ic con~ected to the frame of the machlne lO. The tapinq station 4 6 may further ~nclude a tap~ application roller Sl supported by an arm 52 also conne~ted to the stationary sha~t 50. The ta~e application roller 51 preferably rests agai~st a roller sha~t 53 ab~ut which the ~he~t portions 42 and 43 pass. In this embodiment, taye frcm the tape roll 47 is fe~ between the tape a~lication rollet 51 an~ the roller shaft S3 where the tape si~ultaneou61y engages the o~ositely located ~ges 54 and 55 of the sheet portions 42 and 43. Pr~s~ure at t~e contact point betwe~n the tape application rollcr Sl and the roller ~haft 53 serves to bond the self-adhesiv~ tape to each adjacent edge 54 and 55, s~ch t~a~ the ~heet portions 42 and 43 are joined togeth~r by the self-adhesi~e t~pe and form a compo~ite sheet o~ band 5~.
An altern~tive arrangem~nt for the taping st~tion 46 is schemetically illustrated in Figure 6. This arrange-ment is particularly useful i~ high speed oper~t~on of the m~chine lO, given that the less complicated version ~ trated in Figures 2 and 5 is sometimes conducive to taye breakage because the te~sion in the tap~ ~xceeds accepta~le level~.
The arrangement of Figure ~ includes a dri~ing meohar.ism for driving the tape roll 47. The driving ~echanism is not illustrate~, but ~ay ~e constituted ~y any known drivins ~eans and in a pteferr~d arrangement, is a~ electric motor co~pled to the shaft 4e, suc~ that rotation of the shaft 4~ ~y the m~tor also causes rotation of the tape roll 47.
~ ing the tape roll 47 in th~ manner reduces tension on the tape 80 feeding from the tape roll, even though it is still ~pulled~ away from the ~ape roll 47 by th~ taPe applicat~on roller ~l in contact with the roller shaft ~3. That is, because rotation of the tape roll 47 is not effe~ted by the pull~ng a~tion o~ the tape C. J ~ ' ~9~ : ~ v P;~ ?S ~ r l r 6 ~ T( 3.~ 1 ^ ?. I ~
2l~07 l2 application ~oller 51 ~nd the roller sh~ft 53, ~ut inste~d is ef~e~ted ~y the driving force of the drivins m~chani~m. Thus t~e ~ension in the tape need~ cimply be enoug~ that the tape 80 c~n be peeled off t~e tape roll 47 as the tape roll ~otates.
An electrir m4tor for driYi~g the tape roll 47 is advantageou~ in ~hat it ~n be coupled to ~he feed mechanism of the sheet 29 and as the diameter of the tape roll 47 reducss, the ~peed of the electric moto_ can be increased to compe~sate for that reduction. A sensor Ca~
be attached to ~he arrangement ~o that the diameter of the tape r~ll 47 can be ~onstantly ~onitored and that scnsor in one embodi~ent may react to the relative angular position of the ar~ al. The arm 8l may ~e pivotally ~.ounted and bi as~d so ~ha~ the outer sur~ace 82 of the tape roll 47 is ~aintained in contact with the roller 8' during feed of tape B0 from the tape roll 47, suoh that a certain angul~ dispo~ition of the arm 81 serve~ to indicate when the tape roll is nearly finished.
The tape Bn e~tends a~out rollers a4 and 85, the lat~er of which i8 al~o pivot~lly mounted o~ an arm ~6 so as to compens~te ~or minor variati~ns in the tension of ~he tape 60. The tape then estends about the roller 87 and then to the tape application roller 5l and rolle.
Z5 shaft 53, w~ere it is applied to the sheet 2~ in the same manner as pre~iously des~ribed.
The composite sheet 56 then passes a~o~t roller shaft 57 and dr~ve roller 58. Thc drive roller 5~ is so positione~ in this emb~diment, that the sheet 2~ and o~mposite sheet 56 are pullad thr~ugh the ~achine lO ~y the drive roller 5~ from the feedlng means 11. ~y locating the dLive roller 58 downstream of the feed means ll and the tapino station ~6, there i~ no need to provide dri~es to ~push" ~he ~heet 29 through the machine lO. ~y ~lling the sheet 29 ~hrough the machine lO, a degree of tension i5 maint~ined in the sheet 29 along with the effect of the ~raking a~rangement or alternative arrange-ment as appropria~e applied to the fe~ding means 11 and the tensioning bar 32.
J ~ .. 1 9 9 5 I F ~9 ?E. L I pc ~r.~ f ~ 3 ~ ~ x J ~ 3 1 3 J, ; r',! 3 1 21~12 The dri~e rolie~ SB may be driven by anY Suit~ble ~eans, but in a preferred arr~ngeme~t, the dri~e i5 ~y way o~ a toothed rubber belt. A rubber belt of th~ kind requires no lubrication. i5 ~imple to ope~ate and mai~tain, is par~icularl~ guiet duri~g ~unnin~ cond1tions ~nd results in ~inim~l ~ibr~tion ~eneration.
The dri~e roller 58 ~ s p~efe-ahly located adjacent the p~d formation acility which is generally indicated b~
the numeral S9 (Figure ~). The ~ad formation facility serv~s to ~eparate in~ividual sheet element portions ~r~
the composite sheet 56 and may also serve to assemble a predetermined number of those pcrtions to for~ a pa~
block. The sheet elemen~ portions referred to abo~e may be of any a~proprlate s~e ard may ~e large Ano~lgh that a lS plurality of pads may subse~ue~tly b~ fo~me~ ~rom one pad ~lock comprising a plurality of layers of sheet ele~ent portlons. AS p~eviou~ly discussed, when the machine sh~wn in ~igure 2 includes the arran~ement of Figur s 4 and 5, at least two in~ividu21 pads ~ay s~bsequ~ntl-~ be ~ormed frcm a single pad ~lcck, ~i~en that, in that arrangement, each sheet element portion includes two o~positelY lo~a~ed sheet elements, int~grally c~nnected by a we~ of adhe5ive tape. Therefore, i~ the lensth of each ~heet ele~.ent po.tion is egual to the length of only one sheet element 2 as shown in Figute 1, then a pad block formed fro~ a plu~a~ity o such sheet element portions will ~e of sufficient size to for~ two pads after guillotining or other su~h prooessing ~o sever the oppositel}- located sides of the pad ~lock through an appropriate line of the ~0 adhesi~e web. Th~refore, by in~reasing th~ length of the sheet element po~.ions, the nu~ber of pads formed from ~ne pad block may be increased ~hereby al~o increas~ng the efficiency o~ t~e machine 10.
~he pad formatio~ facility i~cludes she~t element ~5 portion separation meahs and .n t~e em~odi~ent oF Figure 2, this is shown schematically as a rotary guillotine 60.
The position of ~he suillotine 60 is also indicated ~n Fig~re 6, howe~er, the s~ructural details of 'he ~uillo~ine are not shown for clarity ~ur~oses. Other 3~ r~ F~ ?~ JRMQ~ t~ .3~ ?. It/~
forms of guil~otines may also be appropri~t~, or esampie a ve~tical guillotine may ~150 successf~lly be used.
~owever, the rotary guillotine 60 is particulsrl~
advantageou~ in this embodime~t, as its rotational speed ; can b- ~et to ~a~ch th~ hol~zontal ~peed o~ the composite shcet 56 and there~ore, in cDntrast ~o a vertical guillotine which requires the compcsite ~heet 56 to ~e stationary as the sheet is being ~ut, no re~uc~ion in the horizontal speed of the composite sheet 56 is necessary as it passes the rotary guillot~r.e 60.
The sheet element po~tions 61 ~Figure ~) which are progressively separated fro~ the composite ~heet 56 b~ the rot~ry g~illotine 60, are engaged by conveying means in order to convey the portions 61 in a dire~tion indicated 15 by the arrow D, to a pad block as6em~1y location. While any suitable conveying means may be ~tilised for this purpase, the conveying ~e~nc ~mplcyed in the embodiment sho~7n, include~ conveying belt~ ~2 and 6~. The belts ~2 and 63 run between conveyor rol l~rs 64 and ~5 and in the 20 lower run af these conveyor~, the belts 62 and 63 r~n parallel to and adjacent channel members 66 and 67.
~hannel members 66 and 67 are hollow ar.d in~iude a long~tudinal opening along ~he underside thereo~, s~ch that a suct~on force may be applied wit~in the char.nel 25 ~em~ers, which suction force a~ts asainst the lower run of the belts 62 and 63.
The suction force may be ap~lied to the ~hannel ~e~ers 66 and 67 ~y any suitable means and in the em~cdiment shown, a ~acuum motor i~ c~nnectcZ via hos~ 6a 3 0 to ho~ low ~ross channel 69 which is in comm~ ication with the channel mem~ers 66 and ~7. The ~onveying ~elts 62 and ~3 inc~ude perforatio~s or openings 70 to ena~le the suction fn~ce within the ~hannel mem~era 66 and 67 to pass therethrough and exert a suction force against each sheet element portion 61.
The suction force e~erted on each sheet ele~ent poriion 61 supports that sheet ele~n~ portion against the conveying belts 62 and 63, which serve to conYey that sheet element po:tion to a pad block asse~bl~ lo~ation.
~ ....33. .~ ?~ C~IC.~ .i ~ 6...~
2 1 ~
When the sheet elçment portion 61 reache~ the asse~bly location, release means are employed to release ~he s~eet element portion from the ~ffect of ~he suctio~ force.
While many fo~ms of release means are possible, in the S embodiment accor~ing to ~igure 7, t~e release mean~ is in the form of a push ~r 71 which ls located between channel members ~6 and 67. The push bar 71 is COnnected to an actu~tiny cylin~er 72 which may ~e pneumatically opera~ed, so as to raise and lower t~e push bar 71 at predete~ined intervals. The actuating cylinder 72 ~ay be connected directly to a pneumatic source, o~ it may be connected via a pres~ure r~gul~tor, ~he~eby the pressure eserted on the p~sh bar 71 may be va~ied. Alternatively, a sclenoid actuator may be adopted and electronically a~tuated. A
l~ solenoid ~Ctuator is preferred o~r ~ pneumatic act~atoI
given the im~roved a~ura~y of ele~tronic control over pneumati~ control. Any suit~ble solenoid actuator may be adopted.
The puSh bar 71 ser~es to push successive sheet element portions 61 away from the suction force within each of the channel members ~6 and 67. The pu~h ~ar 71 may futher ser~e to apply sufficient f~rce to ~dhere the self ~dhesive tape located between sheet portions 42 and 43 of suc~essive sheet elements portions 61, to the back of the solf adhesive layer of the preceding sheet element portion 61. 8y varying the pre~sure e~e~ted hy the push bar on the sheet portions, an effective adhesion betwee~
su~cessive sheet portions 61 Can always be assured. The adhesion of successi~e sheet ~lament portions 61 serves to form the ~ad block.
Th~ ~uction forca is advantageous for at least two reasons, nam~ly, th~t it brin~s each sheet element portion 61 into contact with the conYeying belts 62 and 63, but it also advantageously lifts the adhesl~e side of the 3S adhesive tape away from ~ont~ct with the already positioned sheet el~ent po~tions, so that it does not adhere to an~ s~rface prematurely, ie. u~til the sheet element portion is released from the effect of the su~tion f o rce .
C J A n.;S~ .C ~ l.S ~F~ ?. ~,3l Z14~71~
A stop element tnot shown~ may be located at a predetermined posi~ion in the path a~ t~e sheet element portions ~1 and this se~e~ to locate t~e leading edge of e3ch sheet element portlon 61 which is con~eye~ to that pos~tion, so that succes~i~e sheet element p~rtions are accurately positio~ed re'ativQ to one another. Alter-natively, a fra~e arrangement ~an he adopted to ac~ura~ely position each sheet element por'ion as it is reieased from the suction ~or~e applied ~ the pad form~tion f~cility.
i0 In th* for~ation of ~he pad b1ock, i' is pref~rable to includ~ a countin5 mechan~sm to count the number of sheet elements portion~ ~1 whi~h are assembled in ~he p~d bloc~ asse~ly lo~atlon. In this respec~, it i5 p~s~ e to in~tall ~n elect~on c or manu~1 co~n~er to monitor the n~mber of revolution~ made by the rotary guillotine 60, a~
~ach r~olution directly ccrre3ponds to the formation of a separate shee' element portion 61. By monitoring ths number of sheet el~ment portions con~eyed to the pad hiock assem~ly location, the number of ~heets per pad can ~e determined. O~her forms of counting means and their location may well b~ app~i~able for this oper~ticn an~ the inven~ion ~s not to b~ ted to that described.
Once the numb~ of sheet element portions suff~cient ~o for~ a pad block h~ve keen assem~le~ and adhered toget~er, further conveying means may be employed to convey the forme~ pad block away from the assembly `o~ation. In this respect, a co~veyor belt 75 located oetween conveyor rollers 76 and 77 may be u~ed to convey the pad away from the assemkly loc~tion. Conveyor roller 7~ is preferably located ~nderneath the leadir.g edge of the pad ~loc~ 3uch that the ~onveyor ~elt is alwcys in conta~t with the underneath o~ the ~ad hlock and thus, ~pon actuaticn of the con~eYor bel~ 75, the pad block wlll be dragged along with the conveyor belt 74. In th~s arrang~ment, the co~veyor ~elt 75 runs intermitte~tly and only when the correct n~mber of shee~ element po~tions have been assembled in pad block for~. Electroni~
communication betwee~ th~ co~ter and the con~eyor belt 75 can be used t3 ensure ~hat the conYeyor ~elt operates at 5 r ~ P. ~ ~: . ?~ ;r ~ r ~ 3~
214()7~ ~
the corr~ct inter~al, although manual ccntrol of the ConveyO~ ~elt may also be appropri~te. The pad ~ay be removed from the m~chine lO at this point or alter-nati~ely, further conv~ying me~ns may be employe~ to move the pad ~o a further locatLon for re~oval or ~urther processing.
The pad block now form~d is ~uit~bl~ ~or ~uillotin-ing or other su~h-like processi~g to sep2rate one side of the p~d block fro~ the other. If the pad block in~ludes pro~isicn for ~cre than two pads, then processing will be required ~oth ~o ~epara~e eithYr sides of the Fad bloc~, as well as ~paratins longitudinal!y the indiviZual pads.
Su~h proces~ing m~y all be cond~lcted wit.h a g~i~ lGtine.
While the e~odi~e~t of the inv~nticn describ~d in 15 r~lation to ~lgu-es ~ ~o 7, is dir~cte~ to th~ pro~essing Oc a sheeting roll 14, which is of a width suf ~icLent to have a seg~,ent 4i removed, thereby forming sheet p~rtions 42 and 43, it must be ~nderstc~d tha~ ~he i~v~ntion is not limited to ~ sheetin~ roil ~f such a width, but als~
enco~.passes a sheeti~g roll ha~ing a wid~h equal to only one of ~he ~heet pcrtions 42 cr 43 and the ta~a roll 13 applies ta~e to only one ed~e portion 3. In ~his case, the machine may ~e assembled so th~t a pad re~uiring no further ~roces~ing, ie. guillotin~n~ pr~uced ir. the first instanc~, alt.~ouqh for eff-~ier.cy, ,t is preferable that the p~d blocks ~e of a sur~ace area suitable 'o ~ultiple pad~ to ~e f~rmed, ~e provided. Co~versely, i~
is wi~hin the scope of the present invention to asDemble 2 ~achine ~apable ~f applying adhesiv~ tape 13 to a p~ura.ity o~ e~ges produc~ iate~ally across a width of sheeting ~9 by a plurality of cuttlng assemblies 33.
I~ is likely that the sheeting roll '4 will .nclu~e printin~ such that the ~ads eventu~lly pr~d~ced ~il' e~nibit informA~ion and~or ad~ertising material. Thus the setting oE the m~chine ~ay depend on the pr.ntir.g applied to the she~ting roll 13.
Ihe in~ention thus proYlde~ an e~ective and effi~ient method and machine f~r th~ ~roduction of pads.
Those sXilled i~ the arS will ~ppreci3te that there ~C. j~. 9~ . ?E ;LI~C ~I?~IC';~I_ rl 1 ~ 86,' ~ 37'~ ~. "C"I
2 ~ 7 1 2 tnay be many variations and modifiCations of the conf iguration described herein which ~re within th- ~cope of the present invention.
~0
MT~C~ A~ A~pA~ s FOR ~ORMrNG PAI~S
Thi~ in~ention re~ates to pad~ o~ t~e kind whic~ arc ~ade up of a plurality of sheets stack~d one upon the oth~r, and each of which may b~ ad-pted tD carry information which i5 applie~ a~ required. The invention is concerned with a met~od and apparatus for formi~ such pads, and par~icularlY ~uch pads w~ieh h~ve ~heet~ forme~
o~ paper, a paper based material, or any other suita~le material.
;0 An ~ample pad of the foregoing kind is described in the spe~ f ication of ~ustralian Patent 52Z249 . Th~t specifica~ion al~o describe~ a methed an~ ~pparatus for for~ing the pad. T~e ~pparatu8 desc~i~e~ _n that patent includes n elongate work surface on which s~ccessive laye~s of indlvidual sheet element~ ~re placod, one cn top of anothes, With each sh-et element haYing a layer of adhesive ta7e applied to ar~ edge thereo~. The ~dhesi~e tape overlaps the edge to whtch it is applied, so th~t it adheres to the layer of tape of the shee~ strip lccated d~rectly underneath an~ a plurality of such layers serv~
to form the ~ad. The method described tn that pa~ent, incluaes pro~ision o~ sh~et portions o~ a su face area suÇficient to for~ a plur~lity of pads, and pa~ blocks _ormed of those shee~ portions are passed throagh a ?5 gu~llotine or the like to di~ide each 410ck into a plurality of pads of the elected size.
In accordance witn t~at prior me~hod, a pad blocl~
could be formed by two parallel, spac-d apart Sub-~locks of sheet portions, individual layers of which are sec~red ~ogether in a spaced-apart co~fiquration by the sel~-adhesive tapc. Each secti~n of that ~ape not onl~ serves ~o adhere the sheet portions of e~ch separate su~-bloc~
together, but al50 ser~es tO adhere to~ther adjacent overl~ing sheet portions of each spaced apart su~-b.o~k.
The composite pa~ blo~k thU~ forme~ is gui~lotine~ through the centerline of the tape jun~tio~ e~isting between ~he sub-blocks in or~er to separate them. The separ~ted su~-~locks can be ~rther guillotined as necessary, if the len~th of the sub-block i8 5u~ficient to form a plurality ~s O ~ lA
~.~3....9 3 ~ C F~ 2~ f . ~
~lqO?~2 of indi~idual p~ds len~thwi~e.
While machines ~cording to the a~o~e patent are satisfactory in pro~u~ing pa~s of good qual~ty, the elongate work surface iR ~umbe~so~e 2nd requir~s the presence o~ two operator~. Further, the tape application is time consuming and requires particularly a~c~rate positioning of ~he SAeet po~tionB~
It is an o~ject of the present invention to o~e~ome or at leas~ minimise the aforementioned proble~s. It is a ,o parti~ular o~ject of the in~cntion to pro~ide an improved m~thod and apparatus for forming multi-sheet pae~ of t~e kind in ~hich adj~ent sheets are relGas~ atta~hed to one another by a ~trip of adhesive ta~e.
Ac~ording to the pr~sent inventicn there is provide~
a method of forming a pad having a plurality of sheat elemen~s interconnected along an edge portic~ thereo~ by adhesive tape, said methGd inc~u~n~ feeding a strip of sheet element material to a tape app}ying ~tation, applying adhesive tape tc caid s~eet ele~ent strip in such a manner as to overldp ~n edge portion th~r~of to form a compcsite band of m~terial, ~uperimposing a pl~rality of layers of said compo~ te band a~ a pad formatio~ facility in order t~at the o~erl3pping t~pe ~or~io~ of one layer ~dheres to an im~e~iately aaiacen~ layer to form a pad block.
In a preferred form of the method, th~ composite ~and passes throush a separation s'ation at whi~h it is cu~ or ~herwise severed tr~neversely to form s parate porti~ns of square or re~tangular form. Each such por~ion 3~ is com~osed of a section o~ the material ~tr~p pre~iously referred to, and a sectlon o~ adhes~e tape. The square or rectangular portions so for~ed are ~perimposed on top of o~e another to for~ a primar~ stack in which ea~h section of adhesiYe tape overlies and is alisned wi~h adja~ent sections of ~hat tape.
The adhesive tape is preferably appli~d on a ccntin~ous basis at the tape applying station so that a ~omposite band of mate~ial emerges from that statio~, The present invention a m~chine for forming a p~d r 13~5 1~` -6 ?ErrLlF~ OR~ rl tl 3 ~ 3~ 73 r v/~
7 :~ Z
h~ing a plurality of sheet elements intarconnected along an edge portion tnereo~ ~y adhesive tape, said apparatus incl~ding feed ~eans for feedi~g a strip of sheet element m~teri~l to tap~ applying means which is operative to apply adhesive tape to said shcet el~ment strip, said application being such that the tape e~tends in the longitudinal direction of the sheet element -~trip ~nd overlie~ a longit~dinal edge portion of said strip so as to adhere to that edge portion and form a ~omposite ~and of ~aterial, succes~ive layers of sai~ composite band ~eing assem~led t~gether at a pa~ for~ation facility such t~at suc~essi~e layers are adhe-ed to ~he immediately adjacent layer by the adhesive tape to fo~ ~ pad ~lock.
The com~osite ~and may then be fed to a pad formation facilityr where layers of the c:omposite band are assembled in such a manner tha~ successive layers a~e adhered io the immedi~tely adjacent ~ayer by the adhesi~e tape. Pads formed in thi~ manner may be further procesced as ne~essary, particularly ~f they a~e formed as large pad blOC~S whieh requ~r~ guillotining or other lik~ processing -o red~lce the size of the pad blo~k into a plurality of smaller individual pads~
~he ta~1e applying rneans serves 'co apply tape to an ~dge portion o~ the sheet ~le~nent strip in a continuous manner and to enable s~h continuous feed, the tape is prefera~ly provided in the fonn of a tape roll supported on a rotata~le shafe, with the tape ~eing fed on to the applicable edge por~ion as that portion passes in the re~on of the tape roll.
It is alsc prefera~le that the sheet element str~p be in the for:n of a continuou~ roll ~nd that the feeding ~eans inciude a rotatable sh~ft, on w~ich the roll is rotata~l~ supported. Such an arrangement enables the fee~
~,eans to continuously feed the pad material to the tape ~5 applying station.
The pad ~ormation facility preferably in~ludes separ~ting m~an~ 'or separoting discrete sheet element portions ~lom the compo~ite band. ~he separating means preferably includes e rot~ry knife edge cu~ting as~embly, 3 ^ ; 5 ' ~ C ~ r ~ r L ~ 3 n l ~ l n / 3 1 21~71~
whi~h may be elect~onically controll~d to rotate at an ~ppropri~te freguency suitable to separate sh~et element portions of a parti~ular len~th ~el~tive to L~e feed rate of the sheet element sttip. T~e electronic control may include ~ensing ~eans which operates to sense when a rotation of th~ rota~y ~utting as~e~ly is required an~
su~h sensing mea~s may inclu~e an e~ectroni~ eye which operates to sense appropriat~ m~rkers. It is ~referable tha~ marker~ either ~e prirt~d on the pad sheetlng, or be located on a ~ali~r~ted rotating disc ~hich rotatcS ~. a rate fi~d relative to the rat~ at which the sheet element strip i5 ~ed fro~ the feed means.
The pad fc~mation fa~ilitr may ~urther include mean~
to con~ey tho sheet element portions to a location where 1~ they may be assembled one upon another, in a manner whi~h forms a pad blo~k of the sheet eleme~t portions. The conveying means ~ay includo ~uction means ~nd a con~eyor belt such that each sheet element portion may be moved into ~on~act with ~he ~on~eyor belt ~nde~ the e~ect of 20 the su~ion to ~uch an e~tent t~t the sheet element portion moves with the conveyor ~nd is conveyed t~ the asse~ly location. At the assembl~ location, release me~ns may be ~ployed to rel~4~e the sh~e~ ~lement p~rtion fro~ the ~uction effe~t. Su~cessi~e sheet element Z5 portlons may ~e released at the same location, ~ith the adhesive layer of one sheet elemen~ portion ad~2ring to the preceding sheet element portion. Pressure mean~ may ~e e~ployed to e~sure adeguate adh~sion between successive sheet ele~ent portions and such pressure means ~ay form part Oc t~e release ~ean5.
In a preferred form of the invention, the sheet element strip is of a width e~ivalent to at ~eas~ the minimu~ width of two sheet elements which are to eventually fo~m the pads accord~'ng to the invention. In this embo~iment, the apparatus a~cording to the inv~ntion includes cutting means l~cated prior to the t~zing station to separate the pad material longitud~nally into a Qlurality o~ r~dueed width sheet element se~tions app~oxim~tely eq~al to the desired ~idth of the e~entual 3 3~ 1 5 ~r~ P i ' L P` f r~ lC-~ f~ ~. 3~7~ ?. ~
#heet elements, It i~ generally envisaged that th~ sheet element st~ip will be separated into t~ reduced width shR~t el~me~t atrip~ only, altho~gh any number of redu~ed width strips may be separata~ from the o iginal sheet element s~rip. It is al54 genorally envisaged th~t the reduced width strips will be o4 e~ual width al~houg~
agaln, that is not abso~utsly necessary.
The cutting means may ~i~ply slit the sheet ele~ent ~trip, or it may remove an intermediate section. In this latter ca~e, tape ~an t~en ~e applied to the opposed edges of the newly formed reduce~ width strip~ prefera~ly ~y a single roll of tape, which roll is of suffici~nt ~idth to overlap both of the opposed edges, thereby formin~ a composite band of sp~ced a~art sheet element ~ortions.
Pad blo~s formed from such a composite band ~ay ~e further procRssed to ~ever the tape co~ne~tion e~isting between adjacent reduced width strips and t~is may ~e achieved ~y guill~tining, ~lthough other means may be appropriate to achieYe this.
In order to assist in arri~ing at an understanding of the present in~ention, a pre~e~red embodiment is illustrated in the attached drawings. ~owever, it should ~e ur~derstood that the following des~~iption i5 _'lus'rative only and should not be t3ken in any way as a restri~tion on the generality c~ the invention as descri~ed above.
Figure 1 shows a ~r~or art pad o~ a type to ~e m~nuf ac ~ured by the present invention.
Figure 2 show~ a schematic vi ew of a machine ~0 ac~ording to the present invention.
Figure 3 shows ~ pQrspective vie~ of a feeding ar.angement.
Figure 4 shows ~ plan v~ew o~ a cutting disk assembly.
Figure ~ shows a perspective view of a tapi~g station.
Fig~re 6 shows a schematic view o an alternative taping station.
Figure 7 shows a perspe~tive v~ew of a pad ~ormation J ~ 1~. 1 V 9 v I . v P .. .;; I . ` 1, P~ . 4 . . ~ 1 v ? . 3 / . .
f aci l~ ty .
Figure 1 is a repr~du~tion of the Figur~ 1 which is illustrated in Aust~alian Pa~ent No. 522249, although seve~al of th~ reerence numerals have been removed. That figure sho~s a pad gene~ally indicated by the numeral 1 and including a plural;ty of sheet elements 2 eaeh having an edge portion 3. A striP o~ ~elf-adhesive tape 4 is adh~red to e~ch of the shee~ elements 2 along the edge portion~ 3. Each strip o ta~e 4 has a po~tion 5 thereof overlappin~ it6 respective edge pottion 3 ~d r~movably adhering to the overlapping por~ion 5 of the immediately ad;acent strip of tape 4. W~th such an arrangement ea~h sheet element 2 and the strip of tape 4 adhered thereto can be remo~ed from the pad 1 and subse~uently a~hered to an obj~t. The descriPtion in Auttrali~n Patent No.
522249 relating to the pad s~own in Figure 1, is hereb~
ino~porat d by cross re~erence. It is deslre~ that a ~achine acccrding to the prQsent inv~ntion be capa~le of use in a p~ocess to produce pads simil~r in for~ to those shown in ~igure 1.
Figure 2 sh~s a schemetic layout of ~ ~.achine 10 acco~ding to the present ~nvention which is suit~le to manu~acture a pafl ~ lar to that shown in Figure 1. The layout i~ indica~ive of the principle on which the mac~.ine operates, bu' is not to sc~le and does not show parts o~
the ~achine su~h as the su~portinq f rame. Fi~re 2 is merely an illustration showing the basi~ Components of d machine according to one embodiment of the ~nvention. ~he ~achine 10 include6 feeding means ~ene~ally indicated by 3C the n~m~ral 11. Whil~ the feeding ~.eans may take any one o' a number of forms, in the embodiment shown, the feeding ~ans 11 includes a rotata~le sha~t 12 on which ~ supply of pad sheeting, in the form of a sheeting ro 1 13, may ~e mounted. In this embodiment, the shaft 12 iS mounted within be~rings 14, which ar~ supported by mo~nting means 15 and the pad sheeting 13 rotates abo~t the a~is of the shaft lZ. In thls em~odiment, the mounting means 1~ is ~ormed as part of the fr~m~ of the machine 10, The eedin$ means 11 may include s~itable ~rak~ o~
~. ia. 99~ ? .~E: LIPC .l~lC.~i~ fl 3 ~ , N . ~37~ .- 3'~.
~40~2 clutch means to prevent uncontr~lled rotation o~ the she~ti~q roll 1~. In the partic~l~r embodiment shown in Figure 3, the ~haft 12 incl~des a Bpur gear 16 and this engages a geared ring 17 connected to the inside o~ a rotat~le disc le. The rotation of the ~isc 1~ is restricted under the influence of pressure ~pplied to ~t by the disc brake 19 and th~s a braking force is applied to the ~haft 12 ~hroush the spur gear 16 and the geared ring 17. The disc brake 19 pr~f~r-bly operates under the e~fect of pneumatic pressure which may be varied by m~ns of a pressure regulator 20.
An ~lectronic clu~h arrangement may alt~ nati~ely be u~ed and many ~n~wn clut~h arr~n~em~nts may ~e appropriate. rlectroni~ control of the ~lutch ~rrangement ad~antagecusly pro~ide~ high pr~cssion cont~ol o~ the te~sion in ~he sheeting roll 13, so that cs the diameter of the roll de~rease~ and the rotational velocity of t~e roll increase~, cons~ant tension in the sheet ~eing eaken Cro~ the sh~etin~ roll can be maintained.
GO The feedlng means 11 may also include loading means suitable to fac~litate loading oC the sheeting roll 13 into position on ~he mounting means ~5. Suitable loading means 21 are generally shown ~artly in ph~ntom in ~igure 3. While anly one side of the loading me~ns is shown in 2~ Fisure 3, a duplic~te arrangement to that shown is preferably located on the opposite 5ide o,f the machine 10. The lo~ding mean~ 21 includes lif'ing ~rms 22, plvotable about the a~is of the shaft 2~ ~nd actuated ur.der th~ action of a pneumati~ actuator 24, althoush an~
othe- suita~le actuator m~y be appliea.
To load a sheeting roll 13, the rotatable shaf t 12 is firstl~ insert~d into the desired sheeting roll 1~ and ~hen the shaft 12 and the roll 13 ~re manoeuvered into a position adiacent the notched ends 25 of the li~ting arms 3~ 22. Uyon actuation of the pneumatic a~tuator 24, outward moYement of the piston 26 causes the liftins arms 22 to pivot a~oout the shaft 23, thereby r~ising the notched ends 25 of the arms 22 which ser~es to engage t;ne suitably positioned rotatable shaft 12. ~po;l further outward i u~n 1~3~ r ~ IPS CR~ Q~3 214~7~
estension of the pisto~ 26, the liÇting arms 22 act to lift the rotatable sh~t 12 ~nd a~-ached s~eeting roll 13. The ar~s 22 continue to lift th~ ~oli 13 u~til th~
rotatable shaft ~2 is adiacent the mo~nting means 15, such that it can be manoevered and loaded into the mounting ~eans 15. Once mounted, the ~iston 2~ may be retraoted to ret~rn t~e lifting arms 22 to their initial re~ position ready for loading or unloading the rotata~ie ~haft~sheetinc roll assembly as neces~ary.
To securely locate the rotatable shaft 12 ~ithin the mounting ~eans 15~ u ciamping ar~ngement may be employed. Wh le othe~ forms of clam~ing a~r~n~ements may be applicabl~, th~ clamping ~rran~ement show~ ig~re 3 includes ~ lever ~7 which clamps a cross-bar 2A into 1~ position against an upper surface of the bearing 15. This clamping arrangement is ef~ective in ~e~urely locating the rotata~le 8haft 12 and also allows simple, one ~ovement releasing of the ~amp by hand. Suc~ clamps are ~uitable for locatlon on the bearings 14 on either slde of the ~0 rotatable shaft lZ~
As discussed previously, it is prefera41e that ~he sheeting roll 13 h~ve a width eq~ivalent to at least the mini~um width of t~O sheet ~lQ~ents 2, each o~ which wlll even_~ally form the basis of a p~d such as th.at shown in ~5 ~igure 1. The mach ne 10 shown in Figure ~ is designed to ac~ommodate a sheeting roll 13 of s~ch a width dimenslon and the advanta~e of this asse~bly ~ill become apparent he~einafter.
The sheeting ~oll 13 fe~ds a continuou~ sheet 29 thre~gh the machine 10 in the direction o~ arrow A. The sheet 29 passes a~ound roller shafts 30 and 31, inbetween which may ~e located tensioning means tO apply tension asainst the sheeting rol'. T~e tensioning means sh~wn in ~igu~e 2, is in the fo,m of a t~nsionin~ b~r 32, which is of a substantially recta~gul~r cor.figuration and is ~ounted so as to be rotatable about its lon~itudinal a~is, although the aYis of rotation may in one embodiment be located toward one edge of the bar~ The tension force eYerted on the sheet 2~ is variable depending on the ~ .3c~ 8 ~: LIPS 'l?.~oNL~ l4l~ ,3. ~,7~ ? il~'3i 2l~107~
ori~nt~tion of the bar 32 with r~spec'c to the she~t 29 and ~ill increase 57radually a~ the !:~ar ~2 ~s rotated in the rection of ar~ow 13 to the po5ition indic~ted in phan~om in Figure Z. Further rotation in thi6 direction will serve tO further increase the tension on the sheet 29, although overtensioning may serve to tear or other~is~
damage the sheet ~g.
The tensioning means ma~ be dispensea with where suitable control of the 5heet tension is ~aintained by oth~r mean5 such ~s the brake or electrcnic ClUtCh arrangement~ previously disc~ssed. A ten~ioninq sensor may however ba adopted to feed a 5ignal ~ack to the control statio~ of the brake or clut~h arrangement, 5G
that that arran~ement m~y self ad~us~ to maintain a Constant tension.
With ~ appropriate sized sheetin~ roll 13, the sheet 29 may then he esposed to a ~uttin~ a~se~bly and a suitabie cutting a~sembly is generally indicated by the rlu~eral 33 in Figur- 2. The cuttirlg assembly 33 is zc loca~ed ~fter roller ~haft 34 and is sho~ in more det~il in Figure 4.
The cutting assembly 33 o~ Figure 4, preferably inclu~es a ~utting wheel 35 having two spaced apart ann~lar knife edges ~6, although the configura~icn o~ the ~S knife edges may vary from that shown. The cutting wheel 35 may be rotatably mounted o~ a shaft 37 by virtue of suita~le bearings (not shown~. A wheel 30 is rotatably ~ounted on a shaft 3~ ~nd is located in the space 40 be weon the knife edge~ 36 of ~che cutting wheel 35. As 30 the sheet 29 passes ~et~ee~ the ~utting wheel 35 and the wheel 38, it is pushed ag~inst both of the knife ed~es 36 and the segment 41 o th~ sheet 2g is severed, thus creating two separate sheet portions 42 and 43 separated by a distanc~ equivalent to the Width of the s~sment 41 which is le~ved. As an alternative, the cut~ing assem~l~
may only include one knife cdge 36, whereby the sheet 29 will be slit ~nstead of having the section 41 rerno~red.
While the whe~l 38 is ~l~own in Figure 4 as proje~ting slightly within the spa~e 40 between the _ 9 _ ~ ;3~ ~c,5 ~:5~ .~r" L ?~ ^?~G'~E 6i 3 t~ Ij, 3~
~1~07~2 oppo~itely loca~ed knife edges 36, the diStsn~ shown is r.ot indicative of that reguired fo~ ef~ective operation of the cutting assem~ly, as thi~ ~y ~ary dcpe~din~ on the type of material constituting the sheet 2g. The position of the æhaft 39 ~ preferably variable to enable adjustment of the wheel 38 ~nto ~nd out of the spa~e 40, 5~ch t~t a ~aria~le cutting force is availa~le to be applied where necessary to the sheet 29.
A6 can be appreciGted, the width of the segment 41 lo which i~ removed by the ~tting as~e~bly of Figure 4 can be varied ~y using a cuttin~ wheel 35 having mova~le knife edge~ 36, adjustable along the longitudinal a$is of the shafe 37, or ~y having a selection of eut~ing wheels 35 with differing knife edge spaci~gs. I~ ~he lattçr case, 1~ the wheel. 3~ is preferably repla~eable to suit the particula~ cutt~ng wheel 35 in use ~t any one time.
~ crap removal .means may b~ provided to remove the scrap ~esme~t 41 which is seversd by the cutting ~ssembly 33. In one form, the scrap re~oval means may include a whee: 44 ~hich rotates in a ~irection indicated by arrow C. The wheel 44 is preferably driven in ~ynchronicity with ~he feed ra~e of the sheet 29, or alternatively, a varia~le drive ~otor may drive the wheel 44 so th~t the drive velocity can be re~dily adjusted to the rate at which the sc~ap is to be ~emo~ed.
T~e remoYal of ~crap in t~is em40diment is acco~plished by winding the ~egment ~1 3bout the outer periphery of the wheel 44. It has been found that the se~ment 41 wi~l uind on to t~e wheel 44 without the ~eed 3C to include outer guiding flange~ or the like, unless thete ~s su~icient move~ent in ~ither the segment 41 ar in the wheel 44 to make that necessary.
Alternatively, a scrap receptacle ~ctin5 under ~acuu~ ~ay ~e us~d to receive the scrap seg~ent 41 and to remove ,t under the effect o~ a ~acuum force.
she~t portions 42 and 4~ con~inue ~bout roller sha~t 45 to~a~d the tap~ng station generally indicated ~y ~he ~umeral 46 an~ this is snown in more de~ail ln Figure 5.
T~.e taping station 46 includes ~ supply of seif-adhesive 3 5 ~ . . v ~ r .
2i4~7~2 tape preferably in the form of a tape roll 47 supported by a b~aring ~not shown) locatea on a a~ft 48. ~he sh~ft 4~
may be ~upported bs~ an arm 49 whiCh is ~onnec:ted to a stationary sha~t 50 which in turn ic con~ected to the frame of the machlne lO. The tapinq station 4 6 may further ~nclude a tap~ application roller Sl supported by an arm 52 also conne~ted to the stationary sha~t 50. The ta~e application roller 51 preferably rests agai~st a roller sha~t 53 ab~ut which the ~he~t portions 42 and 43 pass. In this embodiment, taye frcm the tape roll 47 is fe~ between the tape a~lication rollet 51 an~ the roller shaft S3 where the tape si~ultaneou61y engages the o~ositely located ~ges 54 and 55 of the sheet portions 42 and 43. Pr~s~ure at t~e contact point betwe~n the tape application rollcr Sl and the roller ~haft 53 serves to bond the self-adhesiv~ tape to each adjacent edge 54 and 55, s~ch t~a~ the ~heet portions 42 and 43 are joined togeth~r by the self-adhesi~e t~pe and form a compo~ite sheet o~ band 5~.
An altern~tive arrangem~nt for the taping st~tion 46 is schemetically illustrated in Figure 6. This arrange-ment is particularly useful i~ high speed oper~t~on of the m~chine lO, given that the less complicated version ~ trated in Figures 2 and 5 is sometimes conducive to taye breakage because the te~sion in the tap~ ~xceeds accepta~le level~.
The arrangement of Figure ~ includes a dri~ing meohar.ism for driving the tape roll 47. The driving ~echanism is not illustrate~, but ~ay ~e constituted ~y any known drivins ~eans and in a pteferr~d arrangement, is a~ electric motor co~pled to the shaft 4e, suc~ that rotation of the shaft 4~ ~y the m~tor also causes rotation of the tape roll 47.
~ ing the tape roll 47 in th~ manner reduces tension on the tape 80 feeding from the tape roll, even though it is still ~pulled~ away from the ~ape roll 47 by th~ taPe applicat~on roller ~l in contact with the roller shaft ~3. That is, because rotation of the tape roll 47 is not effe~ted by the pull~ng a~tion o~ the tape C. J ~ ' ~9~ : ~ v P;~ ?S ~ r l r 6 ~ T( 3.~ 1 ^ ?. I ~
2l~07 l2 application ~oller 51 ~nd the roller sh~ft 53, ~ut inste~d is ef~e~ted ~y the driving force of the drivins m~chani~m. Thus t~e ~ension in the tape need~ cimply be enoug~ that the tape 80 c~n be peeled off t~e tape roll 47 as the tape roll ~otates.
An electrir m4tor for driYi~g the tape roll 47 is advantageou~ in ~hat it ~n be coupled to ~he feed mechanism of the sheet 29 and as the diameter of the tape roll 47 reducss, the ~peed of the electric moto_ can be increased to compe~sate for that reduction. A sensor Ca~
be attached to ~he arrangement ~o that the diameter of the tape r~ll 47 can be ~onstantly ~onitored and that scnsor in one embodi~ent may react to the relative angular position of the ar~ al. The arm 8l may ~e pivotally ~.ounted and bi as~d so ~ha~ the outer sur~ace 82 of the tape roll 47 is ~aintained in contact with the roller 8' during feed of tape B0 from the tape roll 47, suoh that a certain angul~ dispo~ition of the arm 81 serve~ to indicate when the tape roll is nearly finished.
The tape Bn e~tends a~out rollers a4 and 85, the lat~er of which i8 al~o pivot~lly mounted o~ an arm ~6 so as to compens~te ~or minor variati~ns in the tension of ~he tape 60. The tape then estends about the roller 87 and then to the tape application roller 5l and rolle.
Z5 shaft 53, w~ere it is applied to the sheet 2~ in the same manner as pre~iously des~ribed.
The composite sheet 56 then passes a~o~t roller shaft 57 and dr~ve roller 58. Thc drive roller 5~ is so positione~ in this emb~diment, that the sheet 2~ and o~mposite sheet 56 are pullad thr~ugh the ~achine lO ~y the drive roller 5~ from the feedlng means 11. ~y locating the dLive roller 58 downstream of the feed means ll and the tapino station ~6, there i~ no need to provide dri~es to ~push" ~he ~heet 29 through the machine lO. ~y ~lling the sheet 29 ~hrough the machine lO, a degree of tension i5 maint~ined in the sheet 29 along with the effect of the ~raking a~rangement or alternative arrange-ment as appropria~e applied to the fe~ding means 11 and the tensioning bar 32.
J ~ .. 1 9 9 5 I F ~9 ?E. L I pc ~r.~ f ~ 3 ~ ~ x J ~ 3 1 3 J, ; r',! 3 1 21~12 The dri~e rolie~ SB may be driven by anY Suit~ble ~eans, but in a preferred arr~ngeme~t, the dri~e i5 ~y way o~ a toothed rubber belt. A rubber belt of th~ kind requires no lubrication. i5 ~imple to ope~ate and mai~tain, is par~icularl~ guiet duri~g ~unnin~ cond1tions ~nd results in ~inim~l ~ibr~tion ~eneration.
The dri~e roller 58 ~ s p~efe-ahly located adjacent the p~d formation acility which is generally indicated b~
the numeral S9 (Figure ~). The ~ad formation facility serv~s to ~eparate in~ividual sheet element portions ~r~
the composite sheet 56 and may also serve to assemble a predetermined number of those pcrtions to for~ a pa~
block. The sheet elemen~ portions referred to abo~e may be of any a~proprlate s~e ard may ~e large Ano~lgh that a lS plurality of pads may subse~ue~tly b~ fo~me~ ~rom one pad ~lock comprising a plurality of layers of sheet ele~ent portlons. AS p~eviou~ly discussed, when the machine sh~wn in ~igure 2 includes the arran~ement of Figur s 4 and 5, at least two in~ividu21 pads ~ay s~bsequ~ntl-~ be ~ormed frcm a single pad ~lcck, ~i~en that, in that arrangement, each sheet element portion includes two o~positelY lo~a~ed sheet elements, int~grally c~nnected by a we~ of adhe5ive tape. Therefore, i~ the lensth of each ~heet ele~.ent po.tion is egual to the length of only one sheet element 2 as shown in Figute 1, then a pad block formed fro~ a plu~a~ity o such sheet element portions will ~e of sufficient size to for~ two pads after guillotining or other su~h prooessing ~o sever the oppositel}- located sides of the pad ~lock through an appropriate line of the ~0 adhesi~e web. Th~refore, by in~reasing th~ length of the sheet element po~.ions, the nu~ber of pads formed from ~ne pad block may be increased ~hereby al~o increas~ng the efficiency o~ t~e machine 10.
~he pad formatio~ facility i~cludes she~t element ~5 portion separation meahs and .n t~e em~odi~ent oF Figure 2, this is shown schematically as a rotary guillotine 60.
The position of ~he suillotine 60 is also indicated ~n Fig~re 6, howe~er, the s~ructural details of 'he ~uillo~ine are not shown for clarity ~ur~oses. Other 3~ r~ F~ ?~ JRMQ~ t~ .3~ ?. It/~
forms of guil~otines may also be appropri~t~, or esampie a ve~tical guillotine may ~150 successf~lly be used.
~owever, the rotary guillotine 60 is particulsrl~
advantageou~ in this embodime~t, as its rotational speed ; can b- ~et to ~a~ch th~ hol~zontal ~peed o~ the composite shcet 56 and there~ore, in cDntrast ~o a vertical guillotine which requires the compcsite ~heet 56 to ~e stationary as the sheet is being ~ut, no re~uc~ion in the horizontal speed of the composite sheet 56 is necessary as it passes the rotary guillot~r.e 60.
The sheet element po~tions 61 ~Figure ~) which are progressively separated fro~ the composite ~heet 56 b~ the rot~ry g~illotine 60, are engaged by conveying means in order to convey the portions 61 in a dire~tion indicated 15 by the arrow D, to a pad block as6em~1y location. While any suitable conveying means may be ~tilised for this purpase, the conveying ~e~nc ~mplcyed in the embodiment sho~7n, include~ conveying belt~ ~2 and 6~. The belts ~2 and 63 run between conveyor rol l~rs 64 and ~5 and in the 20 lower run af these conveyor~, the belts 62 and 63 r~n parallel to and adjacent channel members 66 and 67.
~hannel members 66 and 67 are hollow ar.d in~iude a long~tudinal opening along ~he underside thereo~, s~ch that a suct~on force may be applied wit~in the char.nel 25 ~em~ers, which suction force a~ts asainst the lower run of the belts 62 and 63.
The suction force may be ap~lied to the ~hannel ~e~ers 66 and 67 ~y any suitable means and in the em~cdiment shown, a ~acuum motor i~ c~nnectcZ via hos~ 6a 3 0 to ho~ low ~ross channel 69 which is in comm~ ication with the channel mem~ers 66 and ~7. The ~onveying ~elts 62 and ~3 inc~ude perforatio~s or openings 70 to ena~le the suction fn~ce within the ~hannel mem~era 66 and 67 to pass therethrough and exert a suction force against each sheet element portion 61.
The suction force e~erted on each sheet ele~ent poriion 61 supports that sheet ele~n~ portion against the conveying belts 62 and 63, which serve to conYey that sheet element po:tion to a pad block asse~bl~ lo~ation.
~ ....33. .~ ?~ C~IC.~ .i ~ 6...~
2 1 ~
When the sheet elçment portion 61 reache~ the asse~bly location, release means are employed to release ~he s~eet element portion from the ~ffect of ~he suctio~ force.
While many fo~ms of release means are possible, in the S embodiment accor~ing to ~igure 7, t~e release mean~ is in the form of a push ~r 71 which ls located between channel members ~6 and 67. The push bar 71 is COnnected to an actu~tiny cylin~er 72 which may ~e pneumatically opera~ed, so as to raise and lower t~e push bar 71 at predete~ined intervals. The actuating cylinder 72 ~ay be connected directly to a pneumatic source, o~ it may be connected via a pres~ure r~gul~tor, ~he~eby the pressure eserted on the p~sh bar 71 may be va~ied. Alternatively, a sclenoid actuator may be adopted and electronically a~tuated. A
l~ solenoid ~Ctuator is preferred o~r ~ pneumatic act~atoI
given the im~roved a~ura~y of ele~tronic control over pneumati~ control. Any suit~ble solenoid actuator may be adopted.
The puSh bar 71 ser~es to push successive sheet element portions 61 away from the suction force within each of the channel members ~6 and 67. The pu~h ~ar 71 may futher ser~e to apply sufficient f~rce to ~dhere the self ~dhesive tape located between sheet portions 42 and 43 of suc~essive sheet elements portions 61, to the back of the solf adhesive layer of the preceding sheet element portion 61. 8y varying the pre~sure e~e~ted hy the push bar on the sheet portions, an effective adhesion betwee~
su~cessive sheet portions 61 Can always be assured. The adhesion of successi~e sheet ~lament portions 61 serves to form the ~ad block.
Th~ ~uction forca is advantageous for at least two reasons, nam~ly, th~t it brin~s each sheet element portion 61 into contact with the conYeying belts 62 and 63, but it also advantageously lifts the adhesl~e side of the 3S adhesive tape away from ~ont~ct with the already positioned sheet el~ent po~tions, so that it does not adhere to an~ s~rface prematurely, ie. u~til the sheet element portion is released from the effect of the su~tion f o rce .
C J A n.;S~ .C ~ l.S ~F~ ?. ~,3l Z14~71~
A stop element tnot shown~ may be located at a predetermined posi~ion in the path a~ t~e sheet element portions ~1 and this se~e~ to locate t~e leading edge of e3ch sheet element portlon 61 which is con~eye~ to that pos~tion, so that succes~i~e sheet element p~rtions are accurately positio~ed re'ativQ to one another. Alter-natively, a fra~e arrangement ~an he adopted to ac~ura~ely position each sheet element por'ion as it is reieased from the suction ~or~e applied ~ the pad form~tion f~cility.
i0 In th* for~ation of ~he pad b1ock, i' is pref~rable to includ~ a countin5 mechan~sm to count the number of sheet elements portion~ ~1 whi~h are assembled in ~he p~d bloc~ asse~ly lo~atlon. In this respec~, it i5 p~s~ e to in~tall ~n elect~on c or manu~1 co~n~er to monitor the n~mber of revolution~ made by the rotary guillotine 60, a~
~ach r~olution directly ccrre3ponds to the formation of a separate shee' element portion 61. By monitoring ths number of sheet el~ment portions con~eyed to the pad hiock assem~ly location, the number of ~heets per pad can ~e determined. O~her forms of counting means and their location may well b~ app~i~able for this oper~ticn an~ the inven~ion ~s not to b~ ted to that described.
Once the numb~ of sheet element portions suff~cient ~o for~ a pad block h~ve keen assem~le~ and adhered toget~er, further conveying means may be employed to convey the forme~ pad block away from the assembly `o~ation. In this respect, a co~veyor belt 75 located oetween conveyor rollers 76 and 77 may be u~ed to convey the pad away from the assemkly loc~tion. Conveyor roller 7~ is preferably located ~nderneath the leadir.g edge of the pad ~loc~ 3uch that the ~onveyor ~elt is alwcys in conta~t with the underneath o~ the ~ad hlock and thus, ~pon actuaticn of the con~eYor bel~ 75, the pad block wlll be dragged along with the conveyor belt 74. In th~s arrang~ment, the co~veyor ~elt 75 runs intermitte~tly and only when the correct n~mber of shee~ element po~tions have been assembled in pad block for~. Electroni~
communication betwee~ th~ co~ter and the con~eyor belt 75 can be used t3 ensure ~hat the conYeyor ~elt operates at 5 r ~ P. ~ ~: . ?~ ;r ~ r ~ 3~
214()7~ ~
the corr~ct inter~al, although manual ccntrol of the ConveyO~ ~elt may also be appropri~te. The pad ~ay be removed from the m~chine lO at this point or alter-nati~ely, further conv~ying me~ns may be employe~ to move the pad ~o a further locatLon for re~oval or ~urther processing.
The pad block now form~d is ~uit~bl~ ~or ~uillotin-ing or other su~h-like processi~g to sep2rate one side of the p~d block fro~ the other. If the pad block in~ludes pro~isicn for ~cre than two pads, then processing will be required ~oth ~o ~epara~e eithYr sides of the Fad bloc~, as well as ~paratins longitudinal!y the indiviZual pads.
Su~h proces~ing m~y all be cond~lcted wit.h a g~i~ lGtine.
While the e~odi~e~t of the inv~nticn describ~d in 15 r~lation to ~lgu-es ~ ~o 7, is dir~cte~ to th~ pro~essing Oc a sheeting roll 14, which is of a width suf ~icLent to have a seg~,ent 4i removed, thereby forming sheet p~rtions 42 and 43, it must be ~nderstc~d tha~ ~he i~v~ntion is not limited to ~ sheetin~ roil ~f such a width, but als~
enco~.passes a sheeti~g roll ha~ing a wid~h equal to only one of ~he ~heet pcrtions 42 cr 43 and the ta~a roll 13 applies ta~e to only one ed~e portion 3. In ~his case, the machine may ~e assembled so th~t a pad re~uiring no further ~roces~ing, ie. guillotin~n~ pr~uced ir. the first instanc~, alt.~ouqh for eff-~ier.cy, ,t is preferable that the p~d blocks ~e of a sur~ace area suitable 'o ~ultiple pad~ to ~e f~rmed, ~e provided. Co~versely, i~
is wi~hin the scope of the present invention to asDemble 2 ~achine ~apable ~f applying adhesiv~ tape 13 to a p~ura.ity o~ e~ges produc~ iate~ally across a width of sheeting ~9 by a plurality of cuttlng assemblies 33.
I~ is likely that the sheeting roll '4 will .nclu~e printin~ such that the ~ads eventu~lly pr~d~ced ~il' e~nibit informA~ion and~or ad~ertising material. Thus the setting oE the m~chine ~ay depend on the pr.ntir.g applied to the she~ting roll 13.
Ihe in~ention thus proYlde~ an e~ective and effi~ient method and machine f~r th~ ~roduction of pads.
Those sXilled i~ the arS will ~ppreci3te that there ~C. j~. 9~ . ?E ;LI~C ~I?~IC';~I_ rl 1 ~ 86,' ~ 37'~ ~. "C"I
2 ~ 7 1 2 tnay be many variations and modifiCations of the conf iguration described herein which ~re within th- ~cope of the present invention.
~0
Claims (36)
1. A method of forming a pad having a plurality of sheet elements interconnected along an edge portion thereof by adhesive tape, said method including feeding a strip of sheet element material to a tape applying station, applying adhesive tape to said sheet element strip in such a manner as to overlap an edge portion thereof to form a composite band of material, super-imposing a plurality of layers of said composite band at a pad formation facility in order that the overlapping tape portion of one layer adheres to an immediately adjacent layer to form a pad block.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each said composite layer is conveyed by conveying means to said pad formation facility and wherein said conveying means includes suction means to engage each said layer.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said conveying means includes a conveying belt extending between said tape applying station and said pad formation facility and wherein said suction force acts to bring each said composite layer into contact with said conveying belt in order that said composite layer moves with said conveying belt for transfer to said pad formation facility.
4. A method according to claim 2, wherein release means are employed to release each said composite layer at said pad formation facility from the influence of said suction means.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein pressure is applied at said pad formation facility to each said composite layer at least along the layer of adhesive tape in order to adhere each said composite layer to the immediately adjacent composite layer.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said sheet element material is supplied in a continuous form and wherein said adhesive tape is applied continuously to said edge portion of said sheet element materialto form a continuous composite band, and wherein separation means is applied to said continuous composite band to separate it into separate layers of composite band.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein rotary cutting means are employed to separate said continuous composite band into separate layers of composite band.
8. A method according to claim 6, wherein sensing means communicate with the separation means to determine at which point along the continuous composite band separation should take place.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said sheet element material is at least twice the width of the desired pad block width, and wherein cutting means are employed to sever said sheet element material longitudinally into at least two sub sheet element portions of reduced width.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said tape is applied to said sheet element material after said cutting means has severed said sheet element material longitudinally.
11. A method according to claim 9, wherein said cutting means removes an intermediate section of said sheet element material to form two separate and longitudinally spaced sheet element portions of reduced width.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said tape is applied to the sheet element material after removal of the intermediate section and wherein said tape is applied so that it bridges the longitudinal gap between the longitudinally spaced reduced width sheet element portions, thereby connecting said reduced width sheet element portions together to form said composite band.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein a pad block formed from composite band layers of reduced width sheet element portions spaced apart and connected by a tape bridge, may be separated longitudinally through the tape bridge by guillotining or the like to form separate reduced width pad blocks.
14. A method according to claim 1, wherein said pad block once formed is conveyed away from said pad formation facility by further conveying means and converted as necessary to form pads of a desired size.
15. A machine for forming a pad having a plurality of sheet elements interconnected along an edge portion thereof by adhesive tape, said apparatus including feed means for feeding a strip of sheet element material to tape applying means which is operative to apply adhesive tape to said sheet element material, said application being such that the tape extends in the longitudinal direction of the sheet element material and overlies a longitudinal edge portionof said material so as to adhere to that edge portion and form a composite band of material, successive layers of said composite band being assembled together at a pad formation facility such that said successive layers are adhered to the immediately adjacent layer by the adhesive tape to form a pad block.
16. A machine according to claim 15, wherein conveying means are provided to convey each said composite band layer to said pad formation facility.
17. A machine according to claim 16, wherein said conveying means includes suction means for applying suction effect to each said composite band layer and a conveying belt against which the composite band layer may be influenced under the effect of the suction means.
18. A machine according to claim 17, wherein said conveying belt includes openings through which the suction effect acts to bring the composite band layer into contact with the conveying belt.
19. A machine according to claim 18, wherein release means are provided to release each said composite band layer from the influence of said suction effect.
20. A machine according to claim 19, wherein said release means includes an actuator bar which exerts a force on said composite band layer opposite to the suction force acting on that layer to separate the composite band layer fromthe influence of said suction effect.
21. A machine according to claim 15, wherein said pad formation facility includes pressure application means to apply pressure to said successive layers of said composite band to ensure adhesion between said successive layers.
22. A machine according to claim 21, wherein said pressure application means takes the form of the release means such that the release means acts to release the composite band layer from the suction effect and to apply pressure to the composite band layer to ensure adhesion between successive layers.
23. A machine according to claim 15, including supply means suitable to feed a continuous supply of sheet element material to said tape applying means.
24. A machine according to claim 23, wherein said supply means includes a rotatable shaft on which a roll of sheet element material may be provided, said supply means further including control means to control the rotation of said sheet element roll about said rotatable shaft.
25. A machine according to claim 24, wherein said control means includes a braking mechanism or a clutch mechanism.
26. A machine according to claim 15, wherein said tape applying means includes a tape roll mounted on a rotatable shaft, said shaft being drivable by driving means.
27. A machine according to claim 26, wherein said driving means is variable so that the rotative speed of said shaft and said tape roll may be varied upon reduction in diameter of said tape roll as tape is feed from it.
28. A machine according to claim 23, wherein separating means are employed to separate said continuous supply of sheet element material into separate discrete sheet element portions.
29. A machine according to claim 28, wherein said separating means includes a rotary knife edge cutting assembly which rotates on a axis transverse to the path of the composite band and operates to cut said composite band at predetermined intervals of a desired length.
30. A machine according to claim 29, wherein sensing means are provided to control the rotation of the rotary knife edge cutting assembly and wherein the sensing means operates to sense markers existing on the composite band, or existing on a rotary disc which is calibrated to rotate at an appropriate angular velocity relative to the passage of the composite band past the rotary knife edge cutting assembly.
31. A machine according to claim 15, wherein said sheet element material has a width suitable for the eventual formation of more than one pad, and wherein said apparatus includes cutting means to sever said sheet element material longitudinally.
32. A machine according to claim 31, wherein said cutting means includes a cutting assembly suitable to remove an intermediate portion of said sheet element material prior to said tapeapplying means.
33. A machine according to claim 32 wherein said cutting assembly includes a cutting wheel having a pair of spaced apart annular knife edges extending about the circumference of said cutting wheel, and a mating wheel of a width to fit between said spaced apart knife edges, such that said sheet element material is passed between said cutting wheel and said mating wheel so that said mating wheel draws said sheet element material into contact with said knife edges to sever said material along that line of contact and thereby removean intermediate portion of the sheet element material.
34. A machine according to claim 32, wherein said adhesive tape is applied to the spaced apart edge portions of the sheet element material from where the intermediate portion has been removed so that the applied adhesive tape bridges and connects the spaced apart edge portions to form a composite band.
35. A pad formed by the method of any one of claims 1 to 14.
36. A pad formed by the machine defined in any one of claims 15 to 34.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPM3493 | 1994-01-24 | ||
| AUPM3493A AUPM349394A0 (en) | 1994-01-24 | 1994-01-24 | Method and apparatus for forming pads |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2140712A1 true CA2140712A1 (en) | 1995-07-25 |
Family
ID=3778115
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002140712A Abandoned CA2140712A1 (en) | 1994-01-24 | 1995-01-20 | Method and apparatus for forming pads |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0664225A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH07257064A (en) |
| AU (1) | AUPM349394A0 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2140712A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2377404A (en) * | 2001-03-05 | 2003-01-15 | Pramic Ltd | Cutting tool |
| ITRM20030480A1 (en) * | 2003-10-17 | 2005-04-18 | Baioni Stampa S P A | MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEETS PREPARED FOR IMMEDIATE BINDING. |
| JP6198265B2 (en) * | 2013-05-10 | 2017-09-20 | スターテクノ株式会社 | Continuous sheet label forming device |
| CN112793330B (en) * | 2021-01-21 | 2021-12-10 | 佛山市华禹彩印有限公司 | Compound printing structure of books and periodicals production line |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU522249B2 (en) * | 1978-01-25 | 1982-05-27 | Banson Nominees Pty. Ltd. | Pads |
-
1994
- 1994-01-24 AU AUPM3493A patent/AUPM349394A0/en not_active Abandoned
-
1995
- 1995-01-19 EP EP95300312A patent/EP0664225A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-01-20 CA CA002140712A patent/CA2140712A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-01-20 JP JP7024591A patent/JPH07257064A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AUPM349394A0 (en) | 1994-02-17 |
| JPH07257064A (en) | 1995-10-09 |
| EP0664225A1 (en) | 1995-07-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |