EP1189829B1 - Paper feeding device, in particular for cardboard production line - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention concerns a compact, simple, and economical supply device providing high speed splicing with no operator intervention, as well as automatic spool loading and unloading. The paper supply device (1) comprises two winders (2, 3) each supporting a spool of paper (4, 5), the first of which is a working spool and the second, a reserve spool, and a mechanism (6) for automatically splicing the end of the strip on the working spool with the beginning of the strip on the reserve spool. It is characterized in that the automatic splicing device (6) is located between the two winders (2, 3) and comprises two diversion rollers (60, 61) which rotate freely on at least one common plate (62), the plate rotating on a axle affixed to a trolley (63) so as to alternately place the diversion rollers (60, 61) in a first connection position and then in a second connection position, corresponding respectively to the working spool, with the trolley (63) being movable in translation from one spool to the other.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for supplying paper, particular, for a cardboard manufacturing line, this device comprising two reels arranged parallel, one behind the other, and each carrying a reel of paper, of which a first reel is in work and a second reel is in reserve, these reels being put into service alternately to ensure a supply continuous production line, this device also comprising means drive reels, means for detecting the end of the reel tape work and means of automatic assembly of the end of the reel strip into working with the start of the strip of the reel in reserve, said automatic assembly means being arranged between the two reels, parallel to them, and comprising two detour rollers, parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined fixed interval, these detour rollers extending at least over the entire width of said coils and being arranged to receive between them said strip of paper corresponding to the reel at work, these rolls of detour being mounted freely in rotation on at least one common plate and driven in rotation about their axis by said moving strip of paper, said plate itself being mounted in rotation about an axis.

As part of the cardboard manufacturing lines, these supply devices of paper are well known. Most of the time, they have two reels which are each in the form of a support provided with two arms, the reel of paper being held between the two arms and being unwound by the pulling force exerted on the paper strip by means of the line line drive rollers manufacturing. At the junction between the working coil which is rotating and the spool in reserve which is stopped, it often happens that the production line is slowed down due to the starting inertia of the new full reel or that the strip of paper yields under the effect of traction, which is highly detrimental to the yield of this line but also the quality of the cardboard at the end of the line.

To connect the tape end of the reel in operation with the tape start of the spool in reserve, we generally use a specific assembly machine and separate from the supply system, commonly called a "splicer". This machine requires an operator at the time of joining to prepare the joining, correctly position the start of the tape relative to the end of the tape and ensure a correct junction. We do not get, therefore, an automatic assembly without human presence. The "splicer", usually arranged in height, is a bulky and expensive machine. Besides, when you have to change the paper type and / or width, it is necessary to intervene manually to ensure the junction and reposition the arms of the reels, etc. This intervention cannot be performed instantly and forces the operator to slow down the production line, which which is detrimental to its performance.

In addition, to evacuate an empty coil and replace it with a full coil, it is necessary to lower the arms, spread them and then close them. This intervention requires blocking an operator for approximately 5 minutes. Loading and the coils can still be unloaded automatically, but the time required are long. In addition, empty or full coils are handled by conventional forklifts fitted with a gripper grip suitable for coils.

There are certain semi-automatic or automatic assembly devices described in the following publications. In publication DE-B-12 81 766, the device assembly comprises two crazy parallel rollers arranged between the two coils in the upper part and mounted on a support pivoting around the axis of a third idler roller located at the bottom to bring the first roller into contact with the coil on standby in order to connect the end of the coil strip in work with the tape start of the standby reel. The first two rolls are mounted on a turntable to be able to rotate 180 °, this tray being maneuverable by means of a handle. So it's a very complex system, therefore expensive, not being able to function fully automatically since it requires the intervention of an operator to tilt the rollers 180 ° so to make the connection on the other coil.

In publication FR-A-2 230 571, the assembly device comprises a carriage carrying two detour rollers, this carriage being movable on a ramp above the coils and this ramp being tilted alternately from one coil to another to allow the connection of the strips. This device is complex, bulky and expensive. In addition, setting up a reel as shown is tedious since it requires the introduction of the strip in the detour rollers located in height.

Finally in publication FR-A-2 587 982, the assembly device is studied for superimposed coils and includes a mobile carriage located on one side of the coils, carrying a support with three detour rollers between which the strip passes. In connection position, the support is pivoted around the central roller between two extreme positions angularly offset by approximately 90 ° to bring one or the other detour roller in contact with the standby coil. The pivoting of this support is obtained by three cylinders, an approach cylinder and two contact cylinders. This device is therefore relatively complex to implement, control and adjust. The fact that the coils are stacked complicates loading and replacement of these coils, these operations being difficult to automate at because of the handling operations to be carried out at height.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a supply device which is simple to implement, which requires a less investment as well as a reduced bulk and which allows a automatic assembly at high speed and without human intervention as well as automatic loading and unloading of coils. The essential purpose of the invention is to considerably reduce the preparation times of the coils and coil change while allowing very large coil assembly speed without risk for the paper or the production line.

This object is achieved by a supply device as described in the preamble and characterized in that said automatic assembly means comprise a carriage carrying said plate around a fixed axis and arranged for alternately place said detour rollers in a first fitting position then in a corresponding second fitting position respectively to the coil which is in work, this carriage being movable in translation in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the coils so as to bring one of the detour rollers in abutment against said working coil in said positions of connection, these automatic assembly means also comprising drive means of said plate and drive means of said carriage.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive means of said plate comprise at least one motor and a mechanical transmission between the motor shaft and the plate, and are arranged to rotate it alternately on an angular sector less than 350 °, the limits of this corresponding angular sector at the two connection positions of said detour rollers, this angular sector being between 250 and 290 ° and preferably equal to 270 °.

The automatic assembly means may comprise at least two rails parallel fixed to the ground perpendicular to the axis of said coils, the two rails being spaced at least equal to the width of the coils, the rails being provided each of a rack. The carriage may include at least one driving beam extending between the two rails and provided at each of its ends with a pinion arranged to mesh in the rack of the corresponding rail, and the means of the mobile carriage can include at least one motor and one mechanical transmission coupled to said driving beam.

Each reel advantageously comprises at least one chassis fixed to the ground, a platform mounted on said chassis and two pairs of drive rollers parallel to the axis of the spool, the two pairs being aligned and arranged to carry said reel of paper and the means for driving the reels include a motor and a mechanical transmission between the motor shaft and one of the rollers drive, the other drive rollers being driven by said coil in rotation.

In the preferred embodiment, each reel has two platforms each carrying a pair of drive rollers, the two platforms being movable in translation symmetrically with respect to the median axis A of said device, this median axis being perpendicular to the axis of the coils, to adjust the interval existing between the two pairs of rollers at the width of said reel.

The frame of each reel can have two sections parallel to each other and to the axis of the coils, at least one profile carrying a rack, and the platforms may include at least two pads intended to slide on or in said profiles and at least one motor driving a pinion intended to mesh said rack, the motor being a stepping motor.

Advantageously, each reel has two vertical rotating stops each arranged between two drive rollers of the same pair and arranged to axially block said coil.

In the preferred form of the invention, each reel has a counterweight arranged to exert a force on said spool in the direction of the rollers drive.

This counterweight comprises, for example, an arm movable in vertical translation along a fixed mast between a high position corresponding to a full spool and a low position corresponding to an empty reel, as well as lifting means automatic of said arm, this arm carrying at least two idle rollers, mutually parallel and to the axis of said coil, these idle rollers being arranged to be supported on the coil.

The arm may include four idle rollers, two outer idler rollers arranged to be supported on the reel when it is full and two internal idler rollers arranged to be supported on the reel when it is finished and the lifting means arm can include a double-acting cylinder controlled by a valve.

Advantageously, the means for detecting the end of the strip of the coil in work comprise at least one limit switch associated with said counterweight and arranged to detect the position of said arm corresponding to the minimum diameter permissible of said coil in work authorizing the connection of the end of the strip of this reel at the start of the reserve reel strip.

These means for detecting the end of the strip of the reel in operation are designed to send a signal to the drive means of the reel corresponding to the coil in reserve to drive this coil in rotation, the start of the tape of this coil bearing a visual marker and a net of cold glue extending over its entire width.

Preferably, the assembly means comprise a presence detector arranged to detect the visual cue placed on the spool in rotationally driven reserve, this presence detector being arranged to send a signal to both the means for driving the carriage and the means for driving the plate, for moving said carriage towards the spool in reserve and for placing said rolls of detour from the first connection position to the second and vice versa depending on the coil at work.

In the preferred embodiment, the automatic assembly means have at least one cutting blade extending substantially over the entire width of said coils, disposed substantially below said carriage and movable in vertical translation between a low waiting position and a high working position where it cuts the end of the reel strip when working.

In addition, the device according to the invention advantageously comprises means for automatic loading and unloading of coils arranged to evacuate empty coils and replace them with full coils.

According to the preferred embodiment, each reel comprises, between its two platforms, a platform movable in vertical translation between a low position in standby and a high position in work, said plate comprising a path bearing composed of several motorized rollers parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of the spool, said rollers being rotated by a motorization and arranged to carry and axially move said coil when the tray is in the high position so as to place it in the reel if it is of a full reel or to evacuate it from the reel if it is an empty reel.

The plate can include at least two vertical double-acting cylinders arranged to move it from its low position to its high position and vice versa and the motorization can comprise at least one motor and a pinion transmission and chain or pulley and belt arranged to drive said rollers simultaneously.

• la figure 1 représente une vue de dessus schématique du dispositif de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue de face du dispositif de l'invention,
• les figures 4A à 4E sont respectivement une vue de face, de dessus, de droite, de gauche et en coupe EE des moyens d'assemblage du dispositif de l'invention,
• la figure 5 et les schémas associés A,B,C,D,E sont des vues schématiques du dispositif de l'invention, les moyens d'assemblage étant représentés dans différentes positions de fonctionnement, dans un premier sens de fonctionnement, et
• la figure 6 et les schémas associés E,F,G,H,A sont des vues schématiques similaires aux précédentes, dans un second sens de fonctionnement.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood in the following description of an embodiment given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a schematic top view of the device of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of the invention,
• FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of the invention,
• FIGS. 4A to 4E are respectively a front view, from above, from the right, from the left and in section EE of the assembly means of the device of the invention,
• FIG. 5 and the associated diagrams A, B, C, D, E are schematic views of the device of the invention, the assembly means being represented in different operating positions, in a first operating direction, and
• Figure 6 and the associated diagrams E, F, G, H, A are schematic views similar to the previous ones, in a second direction of operation.

With reference to the figures, the paper supply device 1, intended in particular to supply a cardboard manufacturing line, has two reels 2, 3 arranged parallel one behind the other and arranged to carry and unwind each a paper reel 4, 5, of which a first reel 4 is in use and a second coil 5 is in reserve, or vice versa. It also includes means automatic assembly 6 of the end of the reel strip in work with the start of reel tape on standby, to ensure continuous supply of the line Manufacturing. These assembly means 6 are arranged between the two reels 2, 3 parallel to them. This paper supply device 1 additionally comprises means for automatic loading and unloading of the coils 7, 8, 40 for evacuate the empty spools and replace them with full spools. Figures 1 and 5 show coils 4 ', 5' awaiting replacement of coils 4, 5 on the reels 2, 3.

The reels 2, 3 are identical. Therefore, the references of the parties components will be the same for both reels. The reel 2, 3 has a chassis 20 fixed to the ground, two platforms 21, 22 mounted on this chassis and movable in translation along the arrows B symmetrically with respect to the median axis A of the said device, this median axis being perpendicular to the axis of the coils. Each platform 21, 22 comprises a pair of drive rollers 23, 24 arranged parallel to the axis of the paper reel and arranged to drive the reel into rotation around its axis. Preferably, these rollers are Pneuride® rollers but can be replaced by other equivalent rollers. Rollers 23, 24 of the two platforms of the same reel are aligned and support and drive the paper reel at its ends. The reel 2, 3 includes means 25 which consist, in the illustrated embodiment, of a motor 26, a bevel gear 27 carrying a driving pulley 28 driving by a belt 29 a receiving pulley 30 coupled to one of the drive rollers 23. Of course, other equivalent training means can also be provided. It is necessary to rotate one drive roller 23, the second roller 24 being automatically driven by the rotating paper reel.

The frame 20 consists of I-shaped profiles 31, parallel to each other and to the axis of the coil, and carrying a rail 31 'in the shape of an inverted T intended to guide in translation the platforms 21, 22 in order to adjust the interval existing between the two pairs of drive rollers at the width of the paper reel. To this end, drive means 32 are provided on said reel and consist of a step motor pitch 33 coupled to a bevel gear 34 which drives a pinion 35 meshing a rack 36 fixedly attached under the upper branch of the profile 31. Each section 31 may include such a rack 36. In this case, the pinions 35 correspondents are coupled together by a transmission rod 37. Each platform 21, 22 is, moreover, equipped with skids 38, four in number, engaged on the rails 31 'for sliding freely. The reel 2, 3 also has two 39 rotating vertical stops, each arranged between two drive rollers 23, 24 of the same pair and arranged to axially block said paper reel. They are for example made up of idle rollers mounted on ball bearings.

The reel 2, 3 is also equipped with a counterweight 9 provided with an arm 90 carrying idler rollers 91, parallel to each other and to the axis of the paper reel, and in support on the latter to exert a force on the corresponding coil in the direction of its drive rollers 23, 24. This arm 90 is movable in vertical translation following the arrows C along a fixed mast 92 between a high position corresponding to a full spool and a low position corresponding to an empty spool. He is moving from top to bottom and vice versa, guided by slides 96 secured to the fixed mast 92. The rollers 91 are mounted in free rotation around fixed axes and bearings with balls or needles or by any other equivalent means. They are four in number and are supported two by two on the reel, the outer rollers being supported on the reel when it is full and the inner rollers being supported on the reel when it is empty. In Figure 3, the coils 4, 5 are shown at different stages of unwinding: in a strong line, the reels are full and can reach a diameter maximum of 1700 mm; in broken lines, the coils are almost empty and have a limit diameter of approximately 400 mm to ensure connection with the coil reserved; and in a short dashed line, the coils are empty, i.e. only the bobbin which has for example a diameter of 120 mm. The bobbin is shown both between the drive rollers 23, 24 of the reel and between rollers 91 of the counterweight to show the minimum admissible diameters and the corresponding support zones. The counterweight 9 also includes means for automatic lifting 93 of the arm 90 provided with a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 94 working in back pressure and controlled by a solenoid valve 95. Devices limit switches (not shown) are provided to detect the high positions and bass of this arm 90 and to send corresponding signals to a unit of control (not shown) provided with a controller and making it possible to manage the operation of the entire device 1. When the coil connection has been carried out, the arm 90 of the empty reel is raised and the other is lowered automatically controlled by said automaton.

With reference also to FIGS. 4A to 4E, the automatic assembly means 6 have two detour rollers 60, 61 parallel to each other and to the axis of the coils 4, 5, these detour rollers being spaced apart by a predetermined fixed interval, extending across the width of the spools and receiving between them the strip of paper from the spool job. These detour rollers 60, 61 can be made of steel, rubber, polyurethane, or any other suitable material. They are freely mounted in rotation on a common plate 62, itself mounted in rotation about an axis fixed on a carriage 63, by drive means 64 of the plate, so as to alternately place these detour rollers 60, 61 in a first position of fitting and in a second fitting position depending on whether the coil is working. The carriage 63 is mounted on a frame 65 fixed to the ground and is movable in translation along this chassis following the arrows D perpendicular to the axis of the coils by drive means 66 of the carriage.

The detour rollers 60, 61 each consist of a hollow tube 67 mounted on a through axis 68 by means for example of two ball bearings 69 provided for ends of the tube. The through axes 68 are fixed integrally at their ends on two plates 62, each comprising a central shaft 70 mounted for rotation in a corresponding wall of the carriage 63. At least one central shaft 70 is coupled directly or by a reduction gear or any other mechanical transmission to a drive shaft output of a motor 71 constituting the drive means 64 of the plate so as to modify the angular position of the detour rollers 60, 61 as explained further.

The chassis 65 comprises two rails 72 parallel to each other, perpendicular to the axis coils and spaced apart by an interval at least equal to the width of the coils and the carriage 63 comprises at least one driving beam 73 extending between the two rails 72 and drive means 66 consisting of a geared motor 74 which controls a gear train 75 of which the last pinion 76 meshes in a rack 77 secured to the rail 72 so as to move said carriage along the chassis 65. From preferably, the carriage 63 comprises two geared motors 74 provided on either side and driven synchronously to ensure a displacement in translation perfectly parallel.

The assembly means 6 also comprise a cutting blade 11 made of teeth saw, shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 5 and 6, extending substantially over the entire width of coils, arranged below the carriage 63 and movable in vertical translation between a low standby position and a high work position in which it cuts the end of the coil strip in operation after connection. To this end, the cutting blade 11 can be coupled to a double-acting cylinder system or to a system rack and pinion or a cam system or any other suitable system which ensures its vertical displacement from bottom to top and vice versa.

These assembly means 6 are specially arranged to ensure a connection automatic end of the web of the reel in operation with the start of the web of the coil in reserve, at high speed and without any human intervention. They simply involve preparing the full reels in reserve by applying a net cold glue, forming an adhesive strip, on the beginning of the strip and on the whole length of the width parallel to the axis of said spool and by positioning, possibly, on this reel a visual reference with respect to this strip of glue to cold.

We will now explain the operation of these assembly means automatic 6 with particular reference to Figures 5 and 6 and their diagrams associated which schematically represent the position of the detour rollers 60, 61 in different operating phases depending on whether the working coil is the coil 4 or coil 5.

In Figure 5, the working coil corresponds to the coil 4. The reel 2 drives this coil rotating at a speed such as the tape speed of the paper corresponds to that requested by the downstream cardboard manufacturing line, this speed up to 1000 m / min. The carriage 63 of the assembly means 6 occupies a central position between the two reels 2, 3 and the detour rollers 60, 61 of the assembly means 6 are superimposed in the position illustrated by the diagram D of FIG. 5. The roller 60 is above the roller 61, the latter being slightly grayed out on the diagrams to facilitate understanding. The strip of paper of this reel 4 in work travels between the two detour rollers 60, 61 according to the scroll arrows towards another detour roller 10 arranged in height to guide and deflect the paper strip towards the downstream production line (not shown). When the coil 4 in work reaches its minimum diameter to be connected to the coil 5 in reserve, as shown in broken lines on the Figure 5, the plate 62 rotates slightly counter-clockwise to place the rollers 60, 61 in the position illustrated by diagram E of FIG. 5 and called first connection position, the carriage 63 moves in the direction of the coil 5 in reserve to bring the roll 61 near the reel 5 to about 1 cm from its surface and the reel 3 is put into operation to cause the reel to rotate 5 in reserve at the same running speed as the reel 4 in operation. Coil 5 in reserve has a visual reference at the periphery and a thread of cold glue placed on all its width and forming an adhesive strip. As soon as the visual cue is detected by the assembly means 6, the carriage 63 approaches the coil 5 to bring the roller 61, around which the end of the web of the reel 4 is working, in support against the start of the strip from the spool 5 in reserve. At this time, the two bands of the paper sticks together and the end of the strip carries with it the start of the strip towards the line of manufacturing. Simultaneously, the cutting blade 11 of the assembly means 6 is activated and cuts the end of the tape from the reel 4. The latter can be removed automatically and replaced by a 4 'coil on standby and becoming a new one coil 4 in reserve.

We find ourselves in the case illustrated by Figure 6, diagram E. Then, the carriage 63 returns to its central position and the plate 62 rotates clockwise to bring the rollers 60, 61 into the position illustrated by diagram H and in which the two rollers are again superimposed but the roller 61 being above the roller 60. When the coil 5 in work reaches its minimum diameter to be connected to the coil 4 in reserve, as shown in broken lines on the Figure 6, the plate 62 turns slightly clockwise to put the rollers 60, 61 in the position illustrated by diagram A of FIG. 6 and called second connection position, the carriage 63 moves in the direction of the coil 4 in reserve to bring the roller 60 near the coil 4 approximately 1 cm from its surface and the reel 2 is put into operation to rotate the coil 4 in reserve at the same running speed as the reel 5 in operation. Coil 4 in reserve has a visual reference at the periphery and a thread of cold glue placed on all its width and forming an adhesive strip. As soon as the visual cue is detected by the assembly means 6, the carriage 63 approaches the coil 4 to bring the roller 60, around which the end of the web of the reel 5 is working, in support against the start of the strip from the spool 4 in reserve. At this time, the two bands of the paper sticks together and the end of the strip carries with it the start of the strip towards the line of manufacturing. Simultaneously, the cutting blade 11 of the assembly means 6 is activated and cut the end of the tape from the reel 5. The latter can be removed automatically and replaced by a 5 'coil on standby and becoming a new one coil 5 in reserve.

We find ourselves in the case illustrated by FIG. 5, diagram A. Then, the carriage 63 returns to its central position and the plate 62 rotates counterclockwise to bring the rollers 60, 61 into the position illustrated by diagram D and in which the two rollers are again superimposed, the roller 60 being found above of roller 61. And these cycles can start again as many times as necessary.

To place the detour rollers 60, 61 in the different positions from the first connection position (diagram E) to the second connection position (diagram A), the plate 62 alternately performs a rotation of less than one turn, this rotation being for example limited to 270 °. This original concept means that you never lose strip of paper that scrolls between the two rollers 60, 61 and connect alternately one coil to another continuously, without interruption and without handling. On the other hand, the assembly means 6 comprise a detector of presence (not shown) arranged to detect the visual cue placed on the spool full in reserve and to send a signal to both drive means 66 of the carriage 63 and the drive means 64 of the plate 62 for controlling the movement of the carriage towards the spool in reserve and to place the detour rollers 60, 61 in either connector position.

The paper supply device 1 according to the invention also comprises means for automatic loading and unloading of the coils 7, 8, 40 for evacuate the empty spools and replace them with full spools. The means of loading and unloading 7, 8 outside the reels 2, 3 are not detailed in this application. They are simply represented by motorized trolleys 7, 8 which are arranged to bring the coils on standby 4 ', 5' or evacuate the coils voids 4, 5 (see fig. 1 and 5). For this purpose, the carriages 7, 8 move for example on rails fixed to the ground or are wire-guided or radio-controlled or are driven and ordered by any other equivalent means.

On the other hand, each reel 2, 3 includes means for loading and automatic discharge of the internal coils 40 to said reel. These means 40 comprise a plate 41 positioned between the two platforms 21, 22 on a specific chassis 42 disposed between the sections 31 of the interrupted chassis 20. The plate 41 includes a raceway 43 composed of several rollers 44, motorized, parallel to each other and curved in the central part. This raceway 43 is arranged below and in the axis of the corresponding paper reel. The rollers 44 are driven simultaneously in rotation by a motor and a transmission by sprockets and chain or pulleys and belt (not shown). Through elsewhere, this plate 41 is movable in vertical translation between a low position in standby, in which the raceway 43 is not in contact with the coil paper, the latter resting on its drive rollers 23, 24, and a position high in work, in which the raceway 43 is in contact with said coil, the latter being raised relative to its drive rollers 23, 24. For this purpose, two double-acting pneumatic cylinders 45, or any other means equivalent, are provided under said plate 41 and are arranged to generate a stroke vertical for example about 50 to 60 mm.

Therefore, to evacuate an empty coil or to load a full coil on a reel 2, 3, the plate 41 is brought into the high position and its raceway 43 is actuated in one direction or the other to move the coil axially outward or inward of the reel as appropriate. Of preferably and when available space allows, loading of full reels is done by a carriage on one side of the reels and the unloading of the empty reels is made by another carriage on the other side of the reels staying in the axis of said coils. When space is lacking, the empty spools are collected by the same cart, which brings the full reels, and is brought back to the store. With two directional carriages for each unwinder, the reel change can be done in less than 20 seconds.

The paper supply device 1 according to the invention also comprises servo means (not shown) which may include a central unit control housed in a control console and equipped with a PLC that manages the different drive means depending on the operating status of different sub-assemblies and associated detectors. We saw previously that the coil to be joined is rotated for a time before joining so that its running speed is strictly the same as that of the spool which ends and this via a variable speed drive and a system electronic. We can also integrate control parameters such as example the weight, the grammage, the quality, the number of meters, the width of the spools, etc. In particular, load cells are mounted on the plate 41 so as to measure the weight of the full reel, the used weight and the remaining weight of the reel after the junction. This allows, through a computer, to know as well the number of meters of paper strip used as the number of meters remaining per meter near. We can thus program the number of meters used from which the junction must be carried out and which corresponds substantially to the minimum diameter of 400 mm. In this case, as soon as this number is reached, the automaton orders the setting in running of the carriage 63 of the automatic assembly means 6 as well as all the resulting operations.

It can be seen from this description that the invention achieves all of the goals set. In particular, the paper supply device 1 constitutes a relatively simple, compact machine, with a reduced investment, allowing fully automatic operation mainly thanks to the means automatic assembly 6 and to the reels 2, 3 then to the loading means and automatic unloading, allowing a high scroll speed of the strip of paper and a connection of the coils at this speed, and reducing to maximum handling.

We have explained how the invention works in wire feed mode for continuously supply a manufacturing line. Another advantage of this invention is that it can both wind and unwind. Therefore, it can can also be used as a winder, especially for preparing reels full from the remnants of the nearly empty coils. Indeed, to avoid using too often coils of diameter less than 400 mm, they are loaded on the supply device where a coil is unwound on a reel and wind another reel on the other reel used as a winder, connecting the coils to make a normal diameter coil. In this case, we order manually both the speed of rotation of the reels and the means automatic assembly to make the connection.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art while remaining within the scope of protection conferred by the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A paper supply device (1), in particular for a cardboard production line, this device comprising two unwind stands (2, 3) disposed parallel, one behind the other, and each bearing a reel of paper (4, 5), a first reel of which is in operation and a second reel of which is in reserve, these unwind stands being alternately set in operation to ensure a continuous supply of the production line, this device also comprising drive means (25) for the unwind stands, means for detecting the web end of the reel in operation and automatic means (6) for joining the web end of the reel in operation with the start of the web of the reel in reserve, the said automatic joining means (6) being disposed between the two unwind stands (2, 3), parallel to them, and comprising two deviation rolls (60, 61), which are parallel and spaced by a predetermined fixed interval, these deviation rolls extending at least over the entire width of the said reels and being designed to receive between them the said web of paper corresponding to the reel in operation, these deviation rolls being mounted to freely rotate on at least one common plate (62) and being driven in rotation around their axis by the said web of paper that is running off, the said plate itself being mounted in rotation around an axis, characterised in that the said automatic joining means (6) comprise a carriage (63) bearing the said plate (62) around a fixed axis and designed to place alternately the said deviation rolls (60, 61) in a first connection position and then in a second connection position corresponding respectively to the reel which is in operation, this carriage (63) being movable in translation in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the reels so as to bring one of the deviation rolls to rest against the said reel in operation in the said connection positions, these automatic joining means also comprising drive means (64) for the said plate and drive means (66) for the said carriage.
2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the drive means (64) for the said plate (62) comprise at least one motor (71) and a mechanical transmission between the motor shaft and the plate (62) and are designed to make it turn alternately on an angular sector less than 360°, the limits of this angular sector corresponding to the two connection positions for the said deviation rolls.
3. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the said angular sector is between 250 and 290° and is preferably equal to 270°.
4. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the automatic joining means (6) comprise at least two parallel rails (72) fixed to the ground perpendicularly to the axis of the said reels, the two rails being spaced by a distance at least equal to the width of the reels, the rails being provided each with a rack (77), in that the carriage (63) comprises at least one motorised beam (73) extending between the two rails and provided at each of its ends with a pinion (76) designed to mesh with the rack (77) of the corresponding rail, and in that the drive means (66) for the carriage (63) comprise at least one motor (74) and a mechanical transmission (75) coupled to the said motorised beam (73).
5. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that each unwind stand (2, 3) comprises at least one chassis (20) fixed to the ground, a platform (21, 22) mounted on the said chassis and two pairs of driving rollers (23, 24) parallel to the axis of the reel, the two pairs being aligned and designed to bear the said paper reel, and in that the drive means (25) for the unwind stand comprise a motor (26) and a mechanical transmission (27-30) between the motor shaft and one of the drive rollers (23), the other drive rollers (24) being driven by the said rotating reel.
6. A device according to Claim 5, characterised in that each unwind stand (2, 3) comprises two platforms (21, 22) each bearing a pair of driving rollers (23, 24), the two platforms moving in translation symmetrically in relation to the median axis A of the said device, this median axis being perpendicular to the axis of the reels, to adjust the distance existing between the two pairs of rollers across the width of the said reels.
7. A device according to Claim 6, characterised in that the chassis (20) of each unwind stand (2, 3) comprises two profiles (31) mutually parallel and parallel to the axis of the reels, at least one profile bearing a rack (36), and in that the platforms (21, 22) comprise at least two runners (38) intended to slide on or in the said profiles and at least one motor (33) driving a pinion (35) intended to mesh with the said rack (36), the motor (33) being a stepping motor.
8. A device according to Claim 6, characterised in that each unwind stand (2, 3) comprises two turning vertical stops (39) disposed each between two driving rollers (23, 24) of a same pair and designed to axially block the said reel.
9. A device according to Claim 5, characterised in that each unwind stand (2, 3) comprises a counterweight (9) designed to exert a stress on the said reel in the direction of the driving rollers (23, 24).
10. A device according to Claim 9, characterised in that the counterweight (9) comprises an arm (90) moving in vertical translation along a strut (92) fixed between a high position corresponding to a full reel and a low position corresponding to an empty reel, as well as automatic lifting means (93) for the said arm, this arm bearing at least two idle rollers (91), which are mutually parallel and parallel to the axis of the said reel, these idle rollers being designed to be resting on the reel.
11. A device according to Claim 10, characterised in that the arm (90) comprises four idle rollers (91), two external idle rollers designed to rest on the reel when it is full and two internal idle rollers designed to rest on the reel when it is finished.
12. A device according to Claim 10, characterised in that the automatic means (93) for raising the arm (90) comprise a double-action screw jack (94) controlled by a solenoid valve (95).
13. A device according to Claim 10, characterised in that the means for detecting the web end of the reel in operation comprise at least one end-of-travel detector associated with the said counterweight (9) and designed to detect the position of the said arm corresponding to the minimum permissible diameter of the said reel in operation permitting the connection of the web end of this reel to the web start of the reel in reserve.
14. A device according to Claim 13, characterised in that the means for detecting the web end of the reel in operation are designed to send a signal to the drive means (25) of the unwind stand corresponding to the reel in reserve to drive this reel in rotation, the web start of this reel bearing a mark and a strip of cold-setting adhesive extending over its entire width.
15. A device according to Claim 14, characterised in that the automatic joining means (6) comprise a presence detector designed to detect the mark disposed on the reel in reserve that is driven in rotation, this presence detector being designed to send a signal simultaneously to the driving means (66) of the carriage (63) and to the driving means (64) of the plate (62), to move the said carriage towards the reel in reserve and to place the said deviation rolls from the first connection position to the second connection position and vice versa depending on the reel in operation.
16. A device according to Claim 15, characterised in that the automatic joining means (6) comprise at least one cutting blade (11) extending substantially over the entire width of the said reels, disposed substantially beneath the said carriage (63) and movable in vertical translation between a low waiting position and a high working position where it cuts the web end of the reel in operation.
17. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises automatic loading and unloading means (7, 8, 40) for the reels designed to remove the empty reels and replace them by full reels.
18. A device according to Claim 17, characterised in that each unwind stand (2, 3) comprises, between its two platforms (21, 22), a plate (41) moving in vertical translation between a low waiting position and a high working position, the said plate comprising a travelling path (43) composed of several motorised rollers (44) which are mutually parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the reel, the said rollers being driven in rotation by a motorised unit and designed to bear the said reel and move it axially when the plate is in the high position so as to position it in the unwind stand if a full reel is involved or to discharge it from the unwind stand if an empty reel is involved.
19. A device according to Claim 18, characterised in that the plate (41 ) comprises at least two vertical, double-action screw jacks (45) designed to move it from its low position into its high position and vice versa.
20. A device according to Claim 18, characterised in that the motorised unit comprises at least one motor and a transmission by pinion and chain or pulley and belt designed to drive the said rollers simultaneously.

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