EP1074497B1 - Method of and device for splicing the ends of material webs, especially textile webs - Google Patents

Abstract

Process involves creating a material reserve long enough to feed the production line while the rolls are connected. The new roll (R2) end is placed on a support surface (7) and covered with a junction element. The first roll (R1) has its end cut and placed on a support surface (9). The first support surface pivots and stands vertically then is pressed against the second support surface. The two end are then fastened and the new roll starts feeding the production line as soon as the material reserve is used up. An Independent claim is also included for the process installation.

Description

In many technical sectors, such as industry textiles and more particularly the sector of finishing and finishing of textile articles, the molding industry, we are faced with the problem to supply a processing installation with a material presented under the shape of a continuous strip, such as a fabric, nonwoven, or any other complex various can be cut, molded or thermoformed, said material coming from a roller on which a greater or lesser quantity of material is stored.

Consequently, the problem arises of having to carry out an operation of joining when you reach the end of a feed roller with the primer the material coming from a new roller, and this to have a feeding continuous, without stopping the processing facility.

In addition, there is also the problem of operator safety who must have carried out the operations of preparation for the operation of risk-free splicing, preferably in masked time to avoid loss of production.

Depending on the very nature of the strip material, such an operation splicing can be performed at a frequency which can be very variable and which depends on the length of material stored on a winding and the speed of production of a processing facility.

To carry out such a splicing operation without stopping the installation of transformation, very many proposals have been made to date like this is notably the result of US Patent 3,276,710 and FR Patents 2 129 006 and 2 130 876.

Generally, in such installations, the operation of splicing is carried out by means of adhesive tapes placed on either side of the junction area.

To obtain continuous operation, the new roller is put in rotation with a tangential speed substantially equal to the speed of unwinding of the fabric when the butt joint is to be made.

Furthermore, to carry out the transverse cutting of the material carried by the roller being exhausted, a knife is used which is fixed beforehand the end of the material carried by the new roller and which, practically simultaneously with the joining operation, cuts the material of the roll exhausted so that it can then be evacuated.

In US Patent 3,276,710, the knife supports an adhesive tape allowing the junction between the two strips of material, the FR 2 130 876 describing an improvement to such a technology which allows apply a junction tape on the upper and possibly lower side an end-to-end junction made between two fabrics during the course of the process.

Such installations, if they allow splicing in are, however, very complex, and above all occupy a very large floor space.

Furthermore, the placement of a knife at the end of the new feed rollers, may present risks, especially when the evacuation of said knife after carrying out the joining operation.

Other solutions emerge from the teaching of US Patents 1,724,225 and US 4,629,531. Document US 1,724,225 essentially discloses a system change in coil rotation. This change is made in a way manual. In document US 4,629,531, the operator does not work on the horizontal. The installation of installation is complex and occupies a surface very important on the ground.

Now we have found, and this is what is the subject of the present invention, a improved process, as well as an installation allowing its implementation, which not only makes it possible to carry out a joining operation between the end of the roll supplying a processing facility with the raw material from a new roller, without stopping said installation transformation, but also very safe to use during this operational phase, because the operator works outside the area and dish.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention makes it possible to carry out very compact installations, occupying a very small floor area.

In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the establishment of new rolls of material and removal of exhausted rolls is facilitated.

Finally, the splicing is carried out so that the edges of the two ends of material are superimposed and arranged in the extension one of the other, which causes very great resistance at the junction area.

In general, the invention therefore relates to a method of splicing between a strip material taken from a roller and feeding a processing line for said material and the start of a second roller intended for continue feeding after exhaustion of the first without stopping said line transformation. This process meets the specifications of claim 1.

Thanks to such a process, the operator can therefore ensure the preparation of the end of the replacement roller safely and in masked time, from simple way, since it suffices to position said end on the ramp suction of the press assembly, the joining operation being in turn performed automatically without the presence of the operator, without stopping production line which is supplied during this operational phase by the reserve of material provided downstream from the feeding station.

The invention also relates to an installation for setting up work of such a process. This installation complies with Features of claim 2.

According to a first embodiment, the feeding station is arranged, considering the position of the operator relative to the vertical frame at the rear of the joining assembly. This feeding station includes means to automatically remove the empty roller and replace it with the new full roller.

In a variant, more particularly suitable for supplying lines of production from heavy materials, such as felts, carpets, and for which the length contained by each roller is relatively small, which implies close joining operations, the installation according to the invention has two joining assemblies as defined above, spaced from each other, and which define between them a work area for the operator, each vertical frame supporting the lower detour cylinder as well as a press comprising the support table movable between two positions, one horizontal for placing the end of the material carried by the new roller the other in contact with the transverse bearing surface of said joining sets. In this embodiment, the positioning of the material in a vertical plane passing through the lower detour cylinder and the bearing surface transverse is obtained by means of a movable assembly (carriage) upper part of the frame between the two work stations, said assembly comprising a detour element and the means for cutting the material taken from the roller in exhaustion route in order to be able to carry out the joining operation properly called.

In such an embodiment, the material supply can be obtained directly from rollers arranged on each side of the frames vertical, said rollers possibly being supported by carriages allowing their handling.

Furthermore, if the bearing surfaces can be flat, they can possibly be in the form of cylinders mounted free in rotation.

Thanks to such a structure, the operator can safely prepare the establishment of the primer of the material coming from the roll intended to be substituted for that in the process of exhaustion, the actual splicing operation being carried out automatically after the operator has left the area of job.

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues de côté d'un poste de raboutage réalisé conformément à l'invention illustrant la manière dont est effectuée l'opération de raboutage et le remplacement d'une bobine vide par une bobine pleine ;
• les figures 3 à 8 illustrent une seconde forme de réalisation de l'installation conforme à l'invention, et montrent l'ensemble des phases du cycle de raboutage sur une telle installation ;
• la figure 9 illustre, en élévation, une variante d'une installation telle qu'illustrée par les figures 3 à 8, variante portant plus spécifiquement sur la structure des surfaces d'appui et des organes de découpe.

The invention and the advantages which it brings will however be better understood thanks to the exemplary embodiments given below by way of indication, but not limitation, and which are illustrated by the appended diagrams in which:

• Figures 1 and 2 are side views of a splicing station produced in accordance with the invention illustrating the manner in which the splicing operation is carried out and the replacement of an empty spool with a full spool;
• Figures 3 to 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the installation according to the invention, and show all the phases of the splicing cycle on such an installation;
• FIG. 9 illustrates, in elevation, a variant of an installation as illustrated by FIGS. 3 to 8, a variant relating more specifically to the structure of the bearing surfaces and of the cutting members.

Referring to the appended figures, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the invention therefore aims to solve the problem of carrying out splicing (connection) between the end of a feed roller (R1) of a line transformation of a material in the form of a strip (1) with the beginning of the material, also designated by the reference (1) of a new roller (R2), without stopping the material transformation line (1).

To do this, in accordance with the invention, in known manner, a reserve of a certain length of said material (1) downstream of the station shown in Figure 1 and the transformation line not represented.

According to the invention, there is between the supply station material (1) and the material reserve area preceding the line of transformation, a splicing station, designated by the general reference (2), essentially consisting of a vertical frame on the outside of which the material supply source (roller R1), the other side of which constitutes a operator workstation. This frame supports two return cylinders (3,4), spaced from each other and which define a vertical passage for the material (1) in look at the work area.

For the implementation of the method according to the invention, the means of splicing, mounted on said vertical frame, comprise means designated by the general reference (5) to stop the advance of the material (1) in the area vertical presentation between the cylinders (3,4) and, upstream of these means (5), a cutting assembly (6) intended to cut the material (1) originating of the roller (R1) being exhausted in order to carry out splicing.

The actual joining assembly is, in turn, constituted by a "Press" which, according to the invention, includes a table or ramp pivoting (7), able to take two positions, one horizontal such that shown in Figures 1 and 2 allowing the establishment and positioning of the end (8) of the material (1) coming from the new roller (B2), and the other, in look of a vertical support surface (9) arranged transversely to the strip of material (1), behind the latter, in the area between the first return cylinder (3) and the cutting means (6).

The ramp or table (7) is advantageously a suction ramp which allows to maintain the end of the material (1) coming from the roller (R2). Possibly, the maintenance of the material could be ensured by other means equivalents, such as for example pinching.

When this end is positioned, the operator relates to its surface a double-sided adhesive strip or a fusible strip.

According to the invention, when it is desired to carry out the operation of splitting when the spool (R1) is about to run out, the feed material (1) is blocked and the cutting operation is carried out.

After cutting, the end is brought back to the level of the bearing surface (9).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, this positioning of the material is produced by associating with the cylinder (4) a pressing assembly comprising a cylinder (10) capable of being rotated by a motor (11).

The material (1) is pinched against the cylinder (4) by means of a cylinder bringing the cylinder (10) into contact with the cylinder (4). Just do turn the cylinder (10) so that the cut end is positioned opposite the bearing surface (9).

This operation being done, we cause for example by means of a jack (12), the pivoting of the presentation table (7), so that the end (8) coated with its adhesive or thermo-adhesive strip is superimposed at the end free positioned on the bearing surface (9).

When the connection of the two ends is obtained by means of a ribbon fusible, the support surface (9) is associated with a heating pad.

In such a case, to achieve a perfect connection, the set (7,9) is subject to pressure, pressure communicated for example by any means suitable, such as a hydraulic flange acting over the entire support length.

Furthermore, additional locking means (13) of the two elements (7,9) against each other are provided.

As shown in Figure 2, these locking means can consist of two elements (13) in the form of stirrups which ensure the maintenance of the assembly (7.9) constituting the press.

After joining, the exhausted roller (R1) on which the material has been returned cut located below the knife (6), is evacuated and the new roller (R2) is positioned for normal feeding.

With the splicing done, the scroll blocking element (5) is open and the material transformation line is again supplied.

The operator can therefore bring a new roll and prepare a new one. connection phase.

Figure 2 illustrates in more detail the structure of a feed station of the material, equipped with a joining assembly according to the invention such that described previously and illustrated by figure 1.

In this embodiment, the vertical frame supporting all of the means constituting the joining station, is mounted on a main frame (20) which supports the material supply roller (R1). The course of this roll is obtained by means of a motor (21). It could however be considered ensure the unrolling of the material by simple traction on the latter, the roller being then mounted free to rotate on a suitable support.

When the roller (R1) is exhausted, and the joining operation has been performed with the material end (8) of a replacement roller (R2), the tube on which has been rewound the length of material (1) located upstream of the cutting area during the joining operation, is uncoupled from the motor and is removed from the machine.

Such an operation is carried out for example by means of a swivel assembly (22) controlled by a jack (23) which transfers the exhausted tube to an evacuation zone carried for example by the carriage (24) which ensures the positioning of the new roller (R2).

Regarding this new roller (R2), it is therefore brought by a operator by means of a carriage and, after joining operation, it is brought in drive position by the motor (21) by means of a lifting assembly (25) movable along the frame (20).

Figures 3 to 9 illustrate a second embodiment of a installation according to the invention, showing all the phases of the splicing on such an installation.

In this embodiment, the installation according to the invention comprises two joining assemblies (A, B) arranged opposite one another and defining between them a work area for the operator.

The material supply (1) is obtained from two rollers (R1, R2) arranged on each side of the vertical frames supporting the means of splicing.

Such a design is particularly suitable when one is faced with joining operations close together, in particular in the case of heavy products, such as materials intended to produce articles molded or shaped which can weigh over one hundred grams per meter square, which therefore limits the length of the product stored in the form winding.

In this embodiment, each vertical frame supports a cylinder detour (3) for the material and the press assembly consists on the one hand by a suction table (7) for positioning the end (8) of the material supported by the roller intended to be substituted for that in process exhaustion, and, on the other hand, a transverse bearing surface (9).

In this embodiment, the positioning of the material in a vertical plane passing through the lower detour cylinder (3) and the bearing surface transverse (9), is obtained by means of a partially movable assembly high of the frame between the two workstations (A, B).

This carriage-shaped assembly (30) comprises a detour roller (31), and also supports the cutting means (6) of the material taken from the roller (R1) being exhausted in order to be able to carry out the splicing operation proper.

Such a cutting means is for example constituted by a pivoting knife, or by a cutter or any other equivalent cutting means.

Referring to Figures 3 to 8, the mode of operation of such installation is as follows.

Referring to Figure 3, the material that feeds the installation of transformation, comes from the roller (R1), the carriage (30) being therefore located on the side left of the installation. During the unwinding of the roll (R1), the operator prepares the primer (8) of the material (1) carried by the roller (R2) by positioning its end on the suction table (7) of the station (B).

The roller (R1) reaching exhaustion, the carriage (30) is moved towards the station (B) and, during this movement, the return cylinder (31) drives the material (1) to position it against the bearing surface (9) (Figure 4).

This positioning having been achieved, the material (1) is blocked in closing the presser assembly (5) and the cut is made by pivoting the knife (6) (Figure 5). This cut being made flush with the bearing surface (9), it is not no need to recall the material. The cut end is positioned at the level of the transverse support (9) and the material (1) located below the knife is brought back to the winding (R1) by turning it upside down (figure 5).

Simultaneously with this phase, the table is tipped over support (7) which bears against the transverse bearing surface (9), which allows the joining operation to be carried out.

This being done, the supply of the processing installation can resume normally (Figure 6), the presser (5) being open and the unwinder (R2) put into operation.

A new roller (R1) can then be brought in (Figure 6) and the operator can then proceed on the station (A) to the establishment of the end of the material of this roller for subsequent joining.

When the roller (R2) runs out (figure 7), the carriage is moved to the station (A) and drags the material at the station (A) where it found positioned vertically.

In this position, the knife (6) cuts the material at the station support surface (A) and the splicing operation is carried out as described previously (Figure 8).

It should be noted that the operator is not present in the work area that during the placement phase of the end of a new roller at the table surface or swivel ramp, all other operations being done automatically.

FIG. 9 illustrates a variant of an installation as described previously and illustrated by Figures 3 to 8.

In this variant, the pivoting table (7) has, at its end, on its entire length, a cylinder (40) mounted free to rotate.

The transverse bearing surface (9) also consists of a idler cylinder mounted free in rotation and against which the cylinder (40) of the table.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cutting means are constituted by a cutter, and this in a manner similar to the knife described and illustrated by figures 1 and 2.

Consequently, as in the embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, after cutting, the material is brought to the level of the bearing surface transverse by means of a motorized assembly.

Compared to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 8, such structure has the advantage of allowing the sticky element to be laminated and a restart of the line even before returning the swivel table to position horizontal to make a new preparation. This therefore results in a gain of time.

In all of the embodiments according to the invention, the table or pivoting ramp can be associated with means allowing its realignment of automatically with the end of the new material roll.

Compared to previous solutions, the process according to the invention and the facilities which allow its implementation have the advantage that the joining operation can be carried out automatically, without stopping the line safe for operators.

In addition, such installations are very compact, occupy a small floor area. The splicing operation is carried out precisely and very quickly, the complete cycle being of the order of a few seconds.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the concrete examples given previously, but it covers all the variants made in the part of the claimed invention.

Claims (5)

1. A method for splicing together a material in web form taken from a roll (R1) and fed to a conversion line for converting the said material (1) and the start (8) of a second roll (R2) intended to take over the feed when the first has run out without shutting the said conversion line down, whereby:

   a zone of reserve of material is produced downstream of a feed station and the conversion line of a length that allows the line to operate for the time taken for the splicing phase to be performed;

   the material (1) feeding the conversion line is moved vertically between two guide elements (3, 4) mounted on a vertical structure arranged between the feed roll (R1) and a work zone for an operator,

   characterized in that:

   the end (8) of the new roll (R2) of material is positioned on a horizontal bearing surface (7) in the form of a suction ramp, the operator, arranged in the work zone, covering it, over its entire length, with a web of a joining element such as a double-sided adhesive tape or a heat-bondable tape;

   when the feed reel (R1) of the installation is about to run out, the material (1) is immobilized in the zone lying between the two guide elements (3, 4) and is then cut transversely;

   the cut end is then positioned vertically facing a second bearing surface (9), running transversely between the guide elements under or over the cutting means;

   the suction ramp (7) supporting the end of the material borne by the new roll, pivots to come into a vertical position facing the transverse bearing surface (9);

   after positioning, the ramp (7) and the transverse bearing surface (9) are pressed against each other, causing the two ends of material to be joined together, these ends being superposed in the continuation one of the other;

   after securing and once the suction ramp (7) has been moved away, the braking of the material is eliminated, the feed to the conversion installation reverting to normal.
2. Installation for implementing the method according to Claim 1 comprising, arranged between a feed station of a roll of material and a conversion line for converting the said material, a splicing station (2) allowing the start (8) of the material borne by a new roll (R2) to be joined in as the first roll (R1) runs out, the said splicing assembly comprising:

   a vertical structure outside which the material feed source is arranged, and the other face of which constitutes a workstation to the operator, the said structure supporting two guide elements (3, 4) (cylinders) spaced apart and defining a vertical passage for the material (1) facing the work zone;

   splicing means proper mounted on the said vertical structure and comprising:

   stop means (5) for stopping the feed of material (1) and immobilizing this material in the vertical plane lying between the two guide elements (3, 4);

   a cutting assembly (6) positioned in the upper part of the structure immediately upstream of the material immobilizing means (5);

   characterized in that the said splicing means comprise:

   a press comprising a table or ramp (7) pivoting between two positions, one horizontal inside the zone constituting the workstation for the operator and roughly at operator hip height, allowing the end (8) of the new roll to be placed and positioned and allowing a joining element such as a double-sided adhesive tape or heat-bondable tape to be set in place and the other facing a vertical bearing surface (9) arranged transversely behind the web of material between the first guide element (3) and the cutting members (6);

   means for possibly leading in the cut end of the material feeding the processing line at the transverse bearing surface;

   means for pivoting the table (7) supporting the end (8) of the new roll to bring it in facing the transverse bearing surface (9);

   pressing means applying the pivoting table (7) and the fixed bearing surface (9) one against the other to bond the two ends together.
3. Installation according to Claim 2, characterized in that the feed station of the rolls (R1, R2) is arranged, when considering the position of the operator with respect to the vertical structure supporting the splicing means, behind the splicing assembly, the said feed station comprising means for automatically removing the empty roll and substituting the full new roll for it.
4. Installation according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises two splicing assemblies, spaced apart, and which define between them a work zone for the operator, each vertical structure supporting the lower turn cylinder (3) and a press comprising the bearing surface (table) (7) pivoting between two positions and the transverse bearing surface (9) for the said splicing assemblies, the positioning of the material (1) in a vertical plane passing through the lower turn cylinder (3) and the transverse bearing surface (7) being obtained by means of an assembly (carriage) (30) that can be moved in the upper part of the structure between the two workstations (A, B), the said assembly (30) comprising a turn element (31) and the cutting means (6) for cutting the material taken from the roll that is about to run out so that the actual splicing operation proper can be performed.
5. Installation according to Claim 4, characterized in that the feed of material (1) is obtained directly from rolls (R1, R2) arranged one on each side of the vertical structures.

Images