EP4592231A1

EP4592231A1 - Reel holder arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP4592231A1
Application number: EP25152109.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: William Rahbek Iversen; Per Henrik Hansen; Niels Fogh Nielsen
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Current assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date: 2024-01-26
Filing date: 2025-01-15
Publication date: 2025-07-30
Also published as: WO2025157659A1

Abstract

A reel holder arrangement (300) for a multi-lane wrapping machine (200) comprising: a lower and upper bearing seats (304, 306) arranged to support a first respectively second reel (305, 307 ) of wrapping material (310); an outfeed (302) for feeding wrapping material (310); a first roller (308) for guiding wrapping material (310) from the first reel (305) to the outfeed (302); a second roller (309) for guiding wrapping material (310) from the second reel (307) to the outfeed (302). The arrangement (300) comprises an open end (303), such that the second reel (307) is movable along a path (P) from the upper bearing seat (306) to the lower bearing seat (304) while feeding the wrapping material (310) from the second reel (307) to the outfeed (302), thereby enabling the first roller (308) to guide the wrapping material (310) from the second reel (307) when the second reel (307) has reached the lower bearing seat (304).

Description

Technical Field

The invention generally relates to a reel holder arrangement. More particularly, it is related to a reel holder arrangement for a multi-lane wrapping machine, wherein the reel holder arrangement comprises two bearing seats, an outfeed and two rollers. The invention also relates to a method for feeding wrapping material from a reel holder arrangement.

Background

In an ice cream production line, of today, it is common practice to have a multi-lane wrapping machine, such as Tetra Pak^® Multilane Wrapper A2 marked by Tetra Pak. The multi-lane wrapping machine provides for that sandwiches, bars, cones or other ice cream products can be continuously wrapped.
The multi-lane wrapping machine is typically a part of a multi-lane system which, in addition to the multi-lane wrapping machine, also comprises at least two reel holder arrangements. The reel holder arrangements are provided with reels of wrapping material and are configured to feed wrapping material to the multi-lane wrapping machine.
The multi-lane system come with a number of advantages. For instance, several lanes in parallel provide for high capacity, but also that different lanes may be handled individually, e.g. by controlling the cutting of the wrapping material individually. A further advantage is that the reel holder arrangement may comprise two reels at the time.
Even though the multi-lane wrapping machine of today, as well as the reel holder arrangement, are well-established pieces of equipment that is used in many ice cream production lines, there is nevertheless room for improvement in terms of flexibility, user-friendliness, and efficiency.

Summary

It is an object to at least partly overcome one or more of the above-identified limitations of the prior art. In particular, it is an object to provide a reel holder arrangement for a multi-lane wrapping machine for ice cream products that is more user-friendly and efficient compared to conventional solutions such that the downtime of the system may be further reduced. Another object may be to provide improved flexibility in terms of replacement of empty reels of wrapping material in the reel holder arrangement.
According to a first aspect it is provided a reel holder arrangement for a multi-lane wrapping machine configured to wrap ice cream products, the reel holder arrangement comprising:

a lower bearing seat arranged to support a first reel of wrapping material;
an upper bearing seat arranged to support a second reel of wrapping material;
an outfeed arranged, as seen in a feeding direction of the wrapping material, downstream the lower and upper bearing seats, for feeding wrapping material to the multi-lane wrapping machine;
a first roller arranged downstream the lower bearing seat and upstream the outfeed, for guiding wrapping material from the first reel to the outfeed; and
a second roller arranged downstream the upper bearing seat and upstream the outfeed, for guiding wrapping material from the second reel to the outfeed; wherein
the reel holder arrangement comprises an open end, such that the second reel is movable along a path from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat while feeding the wrapping material from the second reel to the outfeed and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine, thereby enabling the first roller to guide the wrapping material from the second reel when the second reel has reached the lower bearing seat.

The reel holder arrangement is configured to feed wrapping material to the multi-lane wrapping machine. It should be noted that when the reel holder arrangement is running, i.e. when the reel of the reel holder arrangement is feeding wrapping material to the outfeed and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine, the reel holder arrangement is typically feeding wrapping material from one reel, being referred to as an active reel. If the reel holding arrangement is provided with another reel, this reel is referred to as a spare reel and is preferably not feeding wrapping material to the multi-lane wrapping machine. Thus, one reel is running empty at the time. This is advantageous in that it is possible to have the spare reel provided in the reel holder arrangement and is ready to feed material to the multi-lane wrapping machine when needed.
With this design, it is possible to move the reel from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat in an easy way. The open end of the arrangement is advantageous in that it is possible to move the second reel from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat in an easy way along a predefined path P. It should be further noted that if the reel holder arrangement is provided with two reels, the first reel is removed from the lower bearing seat before the second reel reaches the lower bearing seat. When the second reel has reached the lower bearing seat, the second reel may take place as the first reel and a new second reel may be provided to the upper bearing seat. In other words, when the second reel has reached the lower bearing seat, a third reel of wrapping material may be provided to the upper bearing seat. In this way, it is possible to always have one reel in action and one spare reel arranged in the reel holder arrangement. This is further advantageous in that it is possible to provide a new reel to the reel holder arrangement at the upper bearing seat and thereafter move the reel to the lower bearing seat at the same time as feeding wrapping material to the multi-lane wrapping machine. Thus, it is possible to provide new reels to the reel holder arrangement in a more flexible way. This is yet further advantageous in that downtime of the machine is reduced because it is possible to move the second reel from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing at the same time as the second reel feeds wrapping material to the outfeed and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine.
The upper bearing seat may be arranged, as seen in a vertical direction, above the lower bearing seat.
The reel holder arrangement may comprise two lower bearing seats for supporting the first reel. The reel holder arrangement may comprise two upper bearing seats for supporting the second reel. The two lower bearing seats may be arranged opposite each other, i.e. on a first respective a second side of the reel holder arrangement, to be able to support a respective end of the reel. The two upper bearing seats may be arranged opposite each other, i.e. on a first respective a second side of the reel holder arrangement, to be able to support a respective end of the reel. With this design, the reels may be arranged in the respective bearing seat in a more stable way in which each reel has two support members, i.e. two bearing seats to be supported by.
The first roller and the second roller may be arranged opposite each other with a gap in between, such that wrapping material from each of the first reel and the second reel are feedable into the gap, and wherein the first roller and the second roller are movable towards each other for closing the gap and bringing wrapping material from each of the first reel and the second reel fed into the gap into contact which each other, to splice the wrapping material from the first reel and the second reel.
It should be noted that during operation, the first roller and the second roller are arranged at a distance from each other such that the gap is open. The movement of the first roller and the second roller towards each other is initiated when splicing wrapping material from the first reel and the second reel is needed. Preferably, if both the first reel and the second reel comprise wrapping material, wrapping material is fed to the outfeed and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine from the first reel until it has run empty and thereafter, after the wrapping material from the first reel and the second reel is spliced, from the second reel. The splice itself may be done automatically when the first reel has run empty. Thus, an operator does not have to be present once the splicing is done as long as the spare reel has been prepared in due time, thereby a more user-friendly and flexible splicing is achieved. The spare reel may be prepared by providing double adhesive tape on a free end portion of the wrapping material on the spare reel such that when the splicing is initiated, the wrapping material from the first reel and the second reel are spliced by using the double adhesive tape. It should be noted that other attachment means may be used as well. During operation, wrapping material from the second reel, supported by the upper bearing seat, is arranged between the first roller and the second roller but is not fed to the outfeed. Preferably, the wrapping material from the second reel reaches a little bit further than the first and second roller. Thus, the disclosed design is advantageous in that it is possible to prepare the second reel in due time allowing the first reel to run completely empty before splicing the second reel and the first reel.
It should be noted that when the movement of the first and second rollers towards each other has been initiated, the second reel may be forced to unwind such that the double adhesive tape comes into contact with the wrapping material of the first reel such that a splice is ensured to happen.
The arrangement of the reel in action, supported by the lower bearing seat, and the spare reel, supported by the upper bearing seat, is especially advantageous when splicing the wrapping material from the first reel and the second reel. Thus, when the spare reel is arranged, as seen in the vertical direction, above the reel in action, and the splicing takes place, a free end of the wrapping material from the second reel may be arranged, as seen in the vertical direction, on an upper side compared to a free end of the wrapping material of the first reel which may be arranged, as seen in the vertical direction, at a lower side thereof. Thus, this is advantageous in that a robust splicing, especially when the wrapping material enters the multi-lane wrapping machine, is achieved. In this way, the splice may meet the multi-lane wrapping machine in a desirous way in which a risk of breaking the splice is reduced. Thus, by being able to move the reel from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat, it is possible to splice the wrapping material from the first reel and the second reel in a desirous way.
Thus, with this design, the splicing will meet the folding units in a desirous way in a manner that will reduce the risk of breaking up the splice. Thus, moving the reels such that the reel supported by the lower bearing seats being the one to be run empty and thus being the one which new wrapping material should be spliced to ensures that the splice is always positioned correct when entering the folding units. Thus, if excluding the movement of the second reel, the risk that the splice would break entering the folding units every other reel change would be imminent. By being able to move the second reel from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat facilitates that the splicing meets the folding unit in the desirous way, thereby a robust splicing is achieved.
This is further advantageous in that the downtime of the reel holder arrangement for switching reels is avoided, i.e. there is no need for stopping the operation of the reel holder arrangement when replacing reels.
The second roller may be arranged, as seen in a horizontal direction, arranged closer to the outfeed than the first roller. The second roller may be arranged, as seen in the vertical direction, arranged above the first roller.
The reel holder arrangement may further comprise a first further roller arranged downstream the lower bearing seat and upstream the first roller. This is advantageous in that an even more accurate guiding of the wrapping material fed from the first reel supported by the lower bearing seat is achieved.
The upper bearing seat may be, as seen in a horizontal direction, arranged closer to the outfeed than the lower bearing seat.
Each of the lower bearing seat and the upper bearing seat may be, as seen in the horizontal direction, arranged closer to the outfeed than each of the first roller and the second roller.
The lower bearing seat and the upper bearing seat may be, as seen in the vertical direction, arranged on two opposite sides of each of the first roller and the second roller. With this design, it is possible to feed the wrapping material from the respective reel to the outfeed via the rollers such that the wrapping material from the respective reel being arranged in the desirous way between the rollers. Thus, with this design, it is possible to arrange the wrapping material from the respective reel in a way such that the splicing is possible in the desirous way, i.e. having the free end of the wrapping material of the second reel above, as seen in the vertical direction, the free end of the wrapping material of the first reel. This facilitates a robust and flexible splicing of the wrapping material.
The lower bearing seat may comprise a slot that has an open end for receiving a reel. This is advantageous in that it ensures that the reel being positioned in a correct way when supported by the lower bearing seat, i.e. when the reel is arranged in the slot, it is most likely arranged in the correct way.
The lower bearing seat may comprise a retaining element that defines at least a part of the slot and extends over a geometrical line that stretches from a center portion of the slot to a center portion of a first further roller of the reel holder arrangement. In this context, the term "extends" should be understood to be interpreted as seen in a vertical plane that has a normal direction which is parallel to an axis of the lower bearing seat. This is advantageous in that it provides for keeping the reel in place in relation to the lower bearing seat, i.e. the risk of that the reel slips out from the slot is reduced.
The upper bearing seat may comprise a slot that has an open end for receiving a reel. This is advantageous in that it ensures that the reel being positioned in a correct way when supported by the upper bearing seat, i.e. when the reel is arranged in the slot, it is most likely arranged in the correct way.
The reel holder arrangement may further comprise a retaining element configured to be axially aligned with the second roller, in a position where it presses wrapping material from the second reel against the second roller. This is advantageous in that the wrapping material of the second reel is kept in place when positioned between the rollers, a little bit further than the rollers.
The retaining element may comprise a releasing arrangement, for removing it from the position in where it presses wrapping material against the second roller, to enable the second reel be moved from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat while feeding the wrapping material from the second reel to the outfeed and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine. This is advantageous in that it is possible to remove the retaining element from the wrapping material of the second reel in an easy way before moving the second reel from the upper bearing seat.
The reel holder arrangement may further comprise at least one seat for holding the retaining element, the retaining element being configured to rotate when arranged in said at least one seat.
The reel holder arrangement may further comprise a reel moving unit configured to move the second reel from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat while the wrapping material is fed from the second reel to the outfeed and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine. This facilitates moving the second reel from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat. This enables moving the second reel from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat in an easy and user-friendly way. The reel moving unit may be a manual tool configured to be operated by an operator.
The reel holder arrangement may further comprise a sensor configured to detect when the first reel is empty, for activating movement of the first roller relative the second roller in a direction towards each other. This facilitates splicing in an automated way without the need of being operated or monitored by an operator. Thus, when being able to detect when the first reel is empty and thereafter activating the movement of the first roller relative the second roller in the direction towards each other enables for the first reel to run completely empty before initiating the splicing.
The sensor may be configured to emit a beam of light that, as seen in a vertical plane that has a normal direction which is parallel to an axis of the lower bearing seat, crosses a geometrical line that stretches from a center portion of the lower bearing seat to a center portion of the first further roller. This is advantageous in that it is possible to detect when the first reel is empty in an easy and accurate way.
According to a second aspect it is provided a method for feeding wrapping material from a reel holder arrangement according to the first aspect, the method comprising:

providing a first reel of wrapping material to the lower bearing seat;
providing a second reel of wrapping material to the upper bearing seat;
feeding wrapping material from the first reel to the outfeed;
splicing the wrapping material from the first reel and the second reel;
feeding wrapping material from the second reel to the outfeed;
removing a reel core of the first reel from the lower bearing seat;
moving the second reel from the upper bearing seat to the lower bearing seat, while the feeding of wrapping material from the second reel to the outfeed continues; and
providing a third reel of wrapping material to the upper bearing seat.

According to a third aspect it is provided a multi-lane system for wrapping ice cream products, the multi-lane system comprising:

at least two reel holder arrangements according to the first aspect for receiving reels of wrapping material; and
a wrapping machine arranged to receive the ice cream products, to receive the wrapping material from the at least two reel holder arrangements, to enclose the ice cream products in the wrapping material and to seal the wrapping material such that wrapped ice cream products are formed;
the multi-lane wrapping machine comprising:
at least two folding units each comprising a slit configured to receive wrapping material from a respective reel holder arrangement, to fold the wrapping material with ice cream products inside the wrapping material.

Effects and features of the second and third aspects are largely analogue to those described above in connection with the first aspect.
Still other objectives, features, aspects and advantages will appear from the following detailed description as well as from the drawings.

Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-lane system comprising a multi-lane wrapping machine and a plurality of reel holder arrangement, wherein each reel holder arrangement comprises a first reel and a second reel of wrapping material.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a multi-lane system comprising a multi-lane wrapping machine and a plurality of reel holder arrangements.
Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a reel holder arrangement.
Fig. 3B is a side view of a reel holder arrangement.
Fig. 4A is a perspective view of a reel holder arrangement with a full first reel and a full second reel.
Fig. 4B is a side view of a reel holder arrangement with a full first reel and a full second reel.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a reel holder arrangement with an almost empty first reel and a full second reel.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a reel holder arrangement with an empty first reel and a full second reel.
Fig. 7 is a side view of a reel holder arrangement with an empty first reel and a full second reel.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a reel holder arrangement with an empty first reel and a half full second reel and an empty first, wherein the second reel is moved by a reel moving unit.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a reel holder arrangement with a second reel supported by a lower bearing seat.
Fig. 10 is a detailed view of a reel of a reel holder arrangement.
Fig. 11 is a detailed view of a first roller and a second roller of a reel holder arrangement.
Figs 12A and 12B is perspective view of a reel moving unit.
Fig. 13A is a side view of a folding unit.
Fig. 13B is a perspective view of a folding unit.
Fig. 13C is a detailed view of a splice of wrapping material.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart of a method for feeding wrapping material from a reel holder arrangement.

Description

With reference to Figs 1 and 2, a perspective view of a multi-lane system 100 for wrapping ice cream products is illustrated by way of example. The multi-lane system 100 comprises a wrapping machine 200 configured to receive ice cream products and six reel holder arrangements 300. The multi-lane wrapping machine 200 comprises six folding units 210. The reel holder arrangements 300 are configured to receive reels 305, 307 of wrapping material 310 and is further configured to feed wrapping material 310 to the folding units 210 of the multi-lane wrapping machine 200. As best illustrated in Figs 13A-C, the folding units 210 comprises a slit 1313 configured to receive said wrapping material 310 from the reel holder arrangements 300 and to fold the wrapping material 310 with ice cream products inside the wrapping material 310. Referring back to Figs 1 and 2, the wrapping machine 200 is further arranged to seal the wrapping material 310 such that wrapped ice cream products are formed. It should be noted that the multi-lane system 100 may comprise two or more reel holder arrangements 300. It should be noted that the multi-lane system 100 may comprise two or more folding units 210. Preferably, the multi-lane system 100 comprises the same number of reel holder arrangements 300 as folding units 210 such that respective folding unit 210 may be able to receive wrapping material 310 from a respective reel holder arrangement 300.
Each reel holder arrangement 300 as depicted in Fig. 1 is provided with a first reel 305 of wrapping material 310 and a second reel 307 of wrapping material 310. In Fig. 2, the first reel 305 and the second reel 307 have been excluded.
The reel holder arrangement 300 will be further discussed in connection with Figs 3-12. The folding unit 210 will be further discussed in connection with Figs 13A-C.
In Fig. 3A, a perspective view of the reel holder arrangement 300 is illustrated by way of example. In Fig. 3B, a side view of the reel holder arrangement 300 is illustrated by way of example. As said, the reel holder arrangement 300 is for a multi-lane wrapping machine 200 configured to wrap ice cream products. The reel holder arrangement 300 comprises two side elements 301 and a plurality of rollers 308, 309, 314a-d. The rollers 308, 309, 314a-d are arranged between the side elements 301, i.e. extending between the side elements 301. The two side elements 301 are mirrored and are designed in a similar way and comprise similar features.
The reel holder arrangement 300 comprises two lower bearing seats 304 arranged to support the first reel 305 of wrapping material 310. The lower bearing seats 304 are arranged on opposite sides of the reel holder arrangement 300, i.e. each side element 301 comprises a respective lower bearing seat 304. The reel holder arrangement 300 comprises two upper bearing seats 306 arranged to support the second reel 307 of wrapping material 310. The upper bearing seats 306 are arranged on opposite sides of the reel holder arrangement 300, i.e. each side element 301 comprises a respective upper bearing seat 306. The upper bearing seats 306 are, as seen in a vertical direction VD, arranged above the lower bearing seats 304. The upper bearing seats 306 are, as seen in a horizontal direction HD, arranged closer to an outfeed 302 of the reel holder arrangement 300 than the lower bearing seat 304. The outfeed 302 is, as seen in a feeding direction FD of the wrapping material 310, arranged downstream the lower and upper bearing seats 304, 306, for feeding wrapping material 310 to the multi-lane wrapping machine 200 from the reels 305, 307 supported by the respective bearing seats 304, 306.
As best illustrated in Fig. 3B, the lower bearing seat 304 is arranged at a first support element 360 of the side element 301 of the reel holder arrangement 300. The first support element 360 is angled with an angle α in relation to a horizontal line HL. Preferably, the first support element 360 is angled 10-45 degrees, more preferably 20-30 degrees. The purpose of the first support element 360 is to simplify provision of the reel 305 to the lower bearing seats 304 and removement of the reel 305 from the lower bearing seats 304. Thus, when providing the reel 305 to the lower bearing seats 304, one may position the reel 305 at a support surface 364 of the first support element 360 and thereafter roll the reel into position, i.e. into the lower bearing seats 304. When the reel 305 should be removed from the lower bearing seats 304, one may move the reel 305 the opposite way. The first support element 360 has a protrusion 365 at a free end 360a of the first support element 360 which is configured to act as a block or stop element for the reel 305 when the reel 305 is positioned at the support surface 364. Thus, when the reel 305 is positioned at the support surface 364 of the first support element 360, the protrusion 365 ensures that the reel 305 is kept at the first support element 360 although one would lose grip of the reel 305. The protrusion 365 is arranged for reducing the risk of dropping the reel on ground. In other words, the first support element 360 may be referred to act as a safety resting position for the reel 305 before the reel 305 reaches the lower bearing seats 304 or when removing the reel 305 from the lower bearing seats 304.
The lower bearing seat 304 comprises a slot 361 with an open end 362 for receiving the reel 305 of wrapping material 310. The lower bearing seat 304 further comprises a retaining element 363 which defines at least a part of the slot 361 and extends over a geometrical line L. The geometrical line L stretches from a center portion of the slot 361 to a center portion of one of the further rollers 314a of the reel holder arrangement 300. The further roller 314a will be discussed in more detail further below. The purpose of the slot 361, and especially of the slot 361 in combination with the retaining element 363, is to keep the reel 305 in place, i.e. in the lower bearing seats 304. Thus, the retaining element 363 prevents the reel 305 from rolling out from the lower bearing seats 304. The retaining element 363 especially prevents the reel from rolling out from the lower bearing seat 304 when the reel holder arrangement 300 is running, i.e. when wrapping material 310 is fed to the outfeed 302. With this design, the first reel 305 is configured to be hold back when the last of the wrapping material 310 is ripped of the first reel 305. Preferably, the slot 361 is angled 45 degrees such that the last of the wrapping material 310 of the first reel 305 may be released from the first reel 305.
The upper bearing seat 306 is arranged at a second support element 370 of the side element 301 of the reel holder arrangement 300. The second support element 370 comprises a first support surface 374 and a second support surface 375. The first support surface 374 extends between the upper bearing seat 306 and the second support surface 375. The second support surface 375 extends between the first support surface 374 and a free end 370a of the second support element 370. The first support surface 374 is angled with an angle β in relation to the horizontal line HL. Preferably, the first support surface 374 is angled 10-45 degrees, more preferably 20-30 degrees. The second support surface 375 is parallel with the horizontal line HL.
The purpose of the second support element 370 is to simplify provision of the reel 307 to the upper bearing seats 306 and removement of the reel 307 from the upper bearing seats 306. Thus, when providing the reel 307 to the upper bearing seats 306, one may position the reel 307 at the second support surface 375 of the second support element 370, roll the reel 307 from the second support surface 375 to the first support surface 374 and further into position, i.e. into the upper bearing seats 306. When the reel 307 should be removed from the upper bearing seats 306, one may move the reel 307 the opposite way. The second support element 370 has a protrusion 376 at the free end 370a which is configured to act as a block or stop element for the reel 307, when the reel 307 is positioned at the second support surface 375. Thus, when the reel 307 is positioned at the second support surface 375 of the second support element 370, the protrusion 376 ensures that the reel 307 is kept at the second support element 370 although one would lose grip of the reel 307. The protrusion 376 is arranged for reducing the risk of dropping the reel on the ground. In other words, the second support element 370 may be referred to act as a safety resting position for the reel 307 before the reel 307 reaches the upper bearing seats 306 or when removing the reel 307 from the upper bearing seats 306. The upper bearing seat 306 comprises a slot 371 with an open end 372 for receiving the reel of wrapping material 310. The purpose of the slot 372 is to keep the reel 307 in place.
The reel holder arrangement 300 comprises a first roller 308 and a second roller 309. The first and second rollers 308, 309 extend between the two side elements 301. The first roller 308 is arranged downstream the lower bearing seats 304 and upstream the outfeed 302. The first roller 308 is configured to guide the wrapping material 310 from the first reel 305 to the outfeed 302. The second roller 308 is arranged downstream the upper bearing seats 306 and upstream the outfeed 302. The second roller 309 is configured to guide the wrapping material 310 from the second reel 307 to the outfeed 302. The first roller 308 is attached to a first roller structure 308a of the respective side element 301 of the reel holder arrangement 300. The second roller 309 is attached to a second roller structure 309a of the respective side element 301 of the reel holder arrangement 300.
Each of the lower bearing seats 304 and the upper bearing seats 306 are, as seen in the horizontal direction HD, arranged closer to the outfeed 302 than each of the first roller 308 and the second roller 309. The lower bearing seats 304 and the upper bearing seats 306 are, as seen in the vertical direction VD, arranged on two opposite sides of each of the first roller 308 and the second roller 309, i.e. the rollers 308, 309 are, as seen in the vertical direction VD, arranged between the bearing seats 304, 306.
The second roller 309 is, as seen in the vertical direction VD, arranged closer to the outfeed 302 than the first roller 308. The second roller 309 is, as seen in the horizontal direction HD, arranged above the first roller 308. As best illustrated in Fig. 11, the first and second rollers 308, 309 are arranged opposite each other with a gap G between. The first and second rollers 308, 309 are movable towards each other for closing the gap G. Thus, the gap G may be open or closed depending on an operation of the reel holder arrangement 300. As further depicted in Fig. 11, the wrapping material 310 of the first reel 305 and the second reel 307 is arranged in the gap G, past the gap G. The wrapping material 310 of the first reel 305 is fed to the outfeed 302 and further to the wrapping machine 200 (although not illustrated). The wrapping material 310 of the second reel 307 preferably reaches a little bit further than the rollers 308, 309. With this design, and in a preferred embodiment, the first reel 305 may be referred to as an active reel, i.e. the reel which feeds wrapping material 310 to the outfeed 302 and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine 200. The second reel 307 may be referred to as a spare reel. The wrapping material 310 of the spare reel is prepared to be spliced with the wrapping material 310 of the active reel when the active reel is empty. The spare reel is prepared for splicing in that the wrapping material 310 is positioned a little bit further than the rollers 308, 309 as indicated above. In addition, as best illustrated in Fig. 4A, the wrapping material 310 of the spare reel is also prepared for splicing in that an attachment means 332 is attached to the wrapping material 310. By way of examples, the attachment means 332 may be a double adhesive tape. The operation of the reel holder arrangement 300 and the splicing will be further discussed in connection with Figs 4 to 11.
The reel holder arrangement 300 further comprises a retaining element 312 configured to be axially aligned with the second roller 309, in a position where it presses wrapping material 310 from the second reel 307 against the second roller 309. The retaining element 312 is supported by two seats 381. The seats 381 are arranged in the respective second roller structure 309a of the reel holder arrangement 300. The second roller structure 309a comprises a protrusion 382 configured to act as a block or stop element for the retaining element 312 when positioned in the seat 381. The protrusion 382 is configured to restrict movements of the retaining element 312 in the horizontal direction HD, when the retaining element 312 is positioned in the seat 381. The retaining element 312 is configured to rotate when arranged in the seats 381. The retaining element 312 comprises a releasing arrangement 313 for removing the retaining element 312 from the position in where it presses wrapping material 310 against the second roller 309.
The reel holder arrangement 300 further comprises further rollers 314a-d configured to guide the wrapping material 310 from the reels 305, 307 to the outfeed 302. A first further roller 314a is arranged downstream the lower bearing seats 304 and upstream the first roller 308. The first further roller 314a is, as seen in the vertical direction VD, arranged below the first roller 308. A second further roller 314b is arranged downstream the first and second rollers 308, 309 and upstream a third further roller 314c. The second further roller 314b is, as seen in the horizontal direction HD, arranged closer to the outfeed than the first further roller 314a and first roller 308. The second further roller 314b is, as seen in the vertical direction VD, arranged between the first further roller 314a and the first roller 308. The third further roller 314c is arranged downstream the second further roller 314b and upstream a fourth further roller 314d. The third further roller 314c is, as seen in the horizontal direction HD, arranged closer to the outfeed 302 than the second further roller 314b. The third further roller 314c is, as seen in the vertical direction VD, arranged below the second further roller 314b. The fourth further roller 314d is, as seen in the horizontal direction HD, arranged closer to the outfeed 302 than the third further roller 314c. The fourth further roller 314d is, as seen in the vertical direction VD, arranged above the third further roller 314c.
The rollers 308, 309, 314a-d together form a feeding path for the wrapping material 310 from the reels 305, 307 to the outfeed 302.
The reel holder arrangement 300 further comprises a sensor 330a configured to detect when the first reel 305 is empty. The sensor 330a is arranged at the first support element 360. The sensor 330a is configured to emit a beam B of light that, as seen in a vertical plane which has a normal direction which is parallel to an axis of the lower bearing seats 304, crosses the geometric line L that stretches from the center portion of the lower bearing seat 304 to the center portion of the first further roller 314a. With this design, the sensor 330a will detect the wrapping material 310 fed from the first reel 305 where the beam B is transmitted. When there is no wrapping material 310 detected, it indicates that the first reel 305 is empty. When the sensor 330a detects that the first reel 305 is empty, activation of movement of the first roller 308 relative the second roller 309 in a direction towards each other is initiated. As further depicted in Fig. 3B, the reel holder arrangement 300 comprises a further sensor 330b. The sensors 330a, 330b may together detect when the first reel 305 is empty.
As said, the first and second roller 308, 309 are configured to be movable towards each other. The movement is initiated when the sensor 330 detects that the first reel is empty 305. At the same time, the second reel 307 starts feeding wrapping material 310 to the outfeed 302. When the second reel 307 starts feeding wrapping material 310 and when the first and second rollers 308, 309 moves towards each other, the double adhesive tape, which the wrapping material 310 of the second reel 307 has been prepared with, come in contact with the wrapping material 310 of the first reel 305 such that the wrapping material 310 of the first and second reels 305, 307 are spliced. Thereafter, the wrapping material 310 of the second reel 307 is fed to the outfeed 302 and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine 200. Thus, an automated splicing of the wrapping material 310 has been provided in an easy, flexible, and user-friendly way. The movement of the rollers 308, 309 may be actuated by an actuator 390 as best illustrated in Fig. 3A. The actuator 390 may be an actuator well known in the art.
The main purpose of the movement of the second reel 307 from the upper bearing seats 306 to the lower bearing seats 304 is to be able to provide the splicing in a desirous way. When the splice is provided as in the present disclosure, a robust splicing is achieved.
The reel holder arrangement 300 further comprises an open end 303. The second reel 307 is able to be moved from the upper bearing seats 306 to the lower bearing seats 304 along a path P. The open end 303 facilitates the movement of the second reel 306 along the path P. The second reel 306 is able to be moved along the path P while feeding wrapping material 310 to the outfeed 302 and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine 200. In this way, it enables the first roller 308 to guide the wrapping material 310 from the second reel 307, when the second reel 307 has reached the lower bearing seats 304. This will be further discussed in connection with Figs 4-9. It should be noted that the retaining element 312 has to be removed from the position in where it presses wrapping material 310 against the second roller 308 to enable the second reel 307 to be moved from the upper bearing seats 306 to the lower bearing seats 304 while feeding wrapping material 310 from the second reel 307 to the outfeed 302.
Although only one of the two support elements 301 is illustrated in Fig. 3B, it should be understood by the skilled person that the other support element 301 comprises the features as discussed in connection with Fig. 3B as well.
With reference to Figs 4 to 9, an operation of the reel holder arrangement 300 will be illustrated and discussed in further detail.
In Fig. 4A, a perspective view of the reel holder arrangement 300 which comprises a full first reel 305 and a full second reel 307 is illustrated by way of example. In Fig. 4B, a side view of the reel holder arrangement 300 which comprises the full first reel 305 and the full second reel 307 is illustrated by way of examples.
In addition to what has been discussed in connection with Figs 3A and 3B, the reel holder arrangement 300 further comprises a lower break 316 and an upper break 318 adapted to contribute inertia to the respective reel 305, 307 of wrapping material 310. The breaks 316, 318 may ensure that respective reel 305, 307 is rotating in a controlled way when the reel holder arrangement 300 is running, i.e. when the wrapping material 310 is fed to the outfeed 302 and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine 200. The break 316, 318 may be a rounded plate which is configured to be in contact with the wrapping material 310. The breaks 316, 318 are attached to respective bars 317, 319 which are connected to the side elements 301. The bars 317, 319 are attached to the respective side element 301 via break elements 316a, 318a. The break 316, 318 may be rotatably attached to the side elements 301 such that it may be able to be in contact with the wrapping material 310 at all times, although the amount of wrapping material 310 of the reels 305, 307 decreases, i.e. being fed to the outfeed 302.
With reference to Fig. 5, a side view of the reel holder arrangement 300 is illustrated by way of examples in which the first reel 305 is almost empty, i.e. almost all wrapping material 310 has been fed to the multi-lane wrapping machine 200 as discussed above. The second reel 307 is in the same position as in Fig. 4A, i.e. being a spare reel in which the wrapping material 310 has been prepared with the double adhesive tape and is ready for splicing with the wrapping material 310 of the first reel 305, when the first reel 305 is empty.
With reference to Fig. 6, a side view of the reel holder arrangement 300 is illustrated by way of examples in which the first reel 305 is empty and the end 310' of the wrapping material 310 is clearly illustrated just below the first further roller 314a. Herein, the sensor 330a detects that the first reel 305 is empty and activating the movement of the first and second rollers 308, 309 towards each other, as well as the second reel 309 starts feeding wrapping material 310 in the feeding direction FD, i.e. the splicing is initiated. It is further depicted a reel core 305' of the first reel supported by the lower bearing seats 304.
With reference to Fig. 7, a side view of the reel holder arrangement 300 is illustrated by way of examples in which the second reel 307 is almost full. The second reel 307 feeds wrapping material 310 to the outfeed 302 and wherein the second roller 309 is guiding the wrapping material 310. It should be noted that the double adhesive tape is not depicted in Fig. 7, i.e. the splicing has been done and the wrapping material 310 is fed to the outfeed 302. It is further depicted the reel core 305' of the first reel 305.
With reference to Fig. 8, a side view of the reel holder arrangement 300 is illustrated by way of examples in which the second reel 307 is half full. The second reel 307 has been moved from the upper bearing seats 306 and is positioned at the second support surface 375 of the second support element 370. This may be referred to as that the second reel 309 is positioned in an intermediate resting position. The second reel 307 is moved by using a reel moving unit 350 which will be further discussed in connection with Figs 12A and 12B. The second reel 307 continuous to fed wrapping material 310 to the outfeed 302 during the movement and the second roller 309 is guiding the wrapping material 310. The first reel 305 has been removed such that the lower bearing seats 304 are empty.
With reference to Fig. 9, a side view of the reel holder arrangement 300 is illustrated by way of examples in which the second reel 307 has been moved to the lower bearing seats 304 along the path P as illustrated in Fig. 3B. The upper bearing seats 306 are empty. As a next step (not illustrated in the figures), a third reel may be provided to the upper bearing seats 306 and prepared as discussed above such that, when the second reel 307 supported by the lower bearing seats 304 is empty, the wrapping material 310 of the second reel 309 and the third reel may be spliced. It should be noted that the movement of the second reel 307 from the upper bearing seats 306 to the lower bearing seats 304 may be provided at any time after the splicing has been done but before a new splicing has to happen.
In Fig. 10, a detailed view of the first reel 305 is illustrated by way of examples. The first reel 305 comprises wrapping material 310 and a reel core 305'. The first reel 305 further comprises a shaft 1005 which is configured to be supported by the lower bearing seats 304 when the first reel 305 is arranged in the reel holder arrangement 300. The shaft 1005 comprises two wheels 1006 configured to enable the shaft 1005 to rotate when wrapping material 310 is fed to the outfeed 302 and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine 200. The shaft 1005 further comprises a locking space 1007 having the function of restricting the wheels 1006 from sliding sidewards on the shaft 1005. Thus, the locking space 1007 helps keeping the wheels 1006 in position.
As said, in Figs 12A and 12B, it is illustrated the reel moving unit 350 by way of examples. The reel moving unit 350 is configured to move the second reel 307 from the upper bearing seats 306 to the lower bearing seats 304 while the wrapping material 310 is fed from the second reel 307 to the multi-lane wrapping machine 200. It should be noted that the reel moving unit 350 may be configured to move a reel from the lower bearing seats 304 to the upper bearing seats 306 as well although not illustrated or discussed any further. The reel moving unit 350 is preferably a manual moving unit which has to be operated by an operator. The reel moving unit 350 may be an automated moving unit as well. The reel moving unit 350 comprises two moving seats 352 configured to support the second reel 307 when moving the second reel 307 and a moving handle 354 by which the operator may be able to operate and hold the reel moving unit 350. The moving seats 352 and the moving handle 354 are connected by a respective moving bar 356. As best illustrated in Fig. 12B, the reel moving unit 350 further comprises two operating handles 358 by which the operator may be able to guide the moving seats 352 to the second reel 307. The operating handles 358 are depicted in Fig. 12A as well but are recessed. Thus, the operating handles 358 may be moved between a retracted position (Fig. 12A) and an extended position (Fig. 12B).
With reference to Figs 13A-C, the folding unit 210 as introduced in connection with Figs 1 and 2 is illustrated in further detail.
In Fig. 13A, a side view of the folding unit 210 is illustrated by way of examples. In Fig. 13B, a perspective view of the folding unit 210 is illustrated by way of examples. As said, the wrapping material 310 is fed from the reel 305, 307 to the outfeed 302 and further to the folding units 210 of the multi-lane wrapping machine 200. The folding unit 210 comprises a folding unit roller 1312 configured to guide the wrapping material 310 towards the slit 1313 of the folding unit 210. The slit 1313 is configured to fold the wrapping material 310 before being provided with the ice cream product. The wrapping material 310 is folded over a top edge of the slit 1313 to ensure that the wrapping material 310 is kept in place. The folding unit 210 further comprising a protrusion 1311 for keeping the wrapping material 310 in the slit 1313. It should be noted that the folding unit 210 is a conventional folding unit well known in the art and is therefore not discussed in further detail.
As further depicted in Figs 13A and 13B, the wrapping material 310 of the first reel 305 and the second reel 307 has been spliced, i.e. the splicing 1310 is formed. Before the wrapping material 310 reaches the folding unit roller 1312, as seen in the feeding direction FD, the wrapping material 310 of the first reel 305 is, as seen in the vertical direction VD, arranged above the wrapping material 310 of the second reel 307. With this design, the free end 310" of the wrapping material 310 of the second reel 307 will not be in contact with the folding unit 210, when the wrapping material 310 is fed to the folding unit 210. Thereby, the risk of breaking up the splice 1310 is reduced.
In Fig. 13C, the splicing 1310 of the wrapping material 310 of the first reel 305 and the second reel 307 is illustrated in further detail.
With this design, the splicing will meet the folding units 210 in a manner that will reduce the risk of breaking up the splice. Thus, by being able to move the reels 305, 307 between the bearing seats 304, 306 such that the reel supported by the lower bearing seats 304 is the one which runs empty and thus being the one to which new wrapping material 310 should be spliced ensures that the splice is always positioned correct when entering the folding units 210. It should be noted that if excluding the movement of the second reel 307, the risk that the splice would break entering the folding units every other reel change would be imminent.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 for feeding wrapping material 310 from the reel holder arrangement 300 as discussed above. The method 1400 comprises a first step S1402 in which the first reel 305 of wrapping material 310 is provided to the lower bearing seats 304. Thereafter, in a second step S1404, the second reel 307 is provided to the upper bearing seats 306. In a third step S1406, wrapping material 310 is fed from the first reel 305 to the outfeed 302. In a fourth step S1408, the wrapping material 310 from the first reel 305 and the second reel 307 is spliced. Thereafter, in a fifth step S1410, wrapping material 310 is fed from the second reel 307 to the outfeed 302. In a sixth step S1412, a reel core 305' of the first reel 305 is removed from the lower bearing seats 305. In a seventh step S1414, the second reel 307 is moved from the upper bearing seats 307 to the lower bearing seats 305, while feeding wrapping material 310 from the second reel 307 to the outfeed 302 continuous. In an eight step S1416, a third reel of wrapping material 310 is provided to the upper bearing seats 306.
Even though illustrated and described in a certain order, other orders may also be used.
From the description above follows that, although various embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, the invention is not restricted thereto, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject-matter defined in the following claims.

Claims

A reel holder arrangement (300) for a multi-lane wrapping machine (200) configured to wrap ice cream products, the reel holder arrangement (300) comprising:
a lower bearing seat (304) arranged to support a first reel (305) of wrapping material (310);

an upper bearing seat (306) arranged to support a second reel (307) of wrapping material (310);

an outfeed (302) arranged, as seen in a feeding direction (FD) of the wrapping material (310), downstream the lower and upper bearing seats (304, 306), for feeding wrapping material (310) to the multi-lane wrapping machine (200);

a first roller (308) arranged downstream the lower bearing seat (304) and upstream the outfeed (302), for guiding wrapping material (310) from the first reel (305) to the outfeed (302); and

a second roller (309) arranged downstream the upper bearing seat (306) and upstream the outfeed (302), for guiding wrapping material (310) from the second reel (307) to the outfeed (302); wherein

the reel holder arrangement (300) comprises an open end (303), such that the second reel (307) is movable along a path (P) from the upper bearing seat (306) to the lower bearing seat (304) while feeding the wrapping material (310) from the second reel (307) to the outfeed (302) and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine (200), thereby enabling the first roller (308) to guide the wrapping material (310) from the second reel (307) when the second reel (307) has reached the lower bearing seat (304).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to claim 1, wherein the first roller (308) and the second roller (309) are arranged opposite each other with a gap (G) in between, such that wrapping material (310) from each of the first reel (305) and the second reel (307) are feedable into the gap (G), and wherein the first roller (308) and the second roller (309) are movable towards each other for closing the gap (G) and bringing wrapping material (310) from each of the first reel (30) and the second reel (307) fed into the gap (G) into contact which each other, to splice the wrapping material (310) from the first reel (30) and the second reel (307).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any preceding claims, further comprising a first further roller (314a) arranged downstream the lower bearing seat (304) and upstream the first roller (308).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper bearing seat (306) is, as seen in a horizontal direction (HD), arranged closer to the outfeed (302) than the lower bearing seat (304).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the lower bearing seat (304) and the upper bearing seat (306) is, as seen in the horizontal direction (HD), arranged closer to the outfeed (302) than each of the first roller (308) and the second roller (309).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower bearing seat (304) and the upper bearing seat (306) are, as seen in the vertical direction (VD), arranged on two opposite sides of each of the first roller (308) and the second roller (309).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower bearing seat (304) comprises a slot (361) that has an open end (362) for receiving a reel.
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
wherein the lower bearing seat (304) comprises a retaining element (363) that defines at least a part of the slot (361) and extends over a geometrical line (L) that stretches from a center portion of the slot (361) to a center portion of the first further roller (314a).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper bearing seat (306) comprises a slot (371) that has an open end (372) for receiving a reel.
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a retaining element (312) configured to be axially aligned with the second roller (309), in a position where it presses wrapping material (310) from the second reel (307) against the second roller (309).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to claim 10, wherein the retaining element (312) comprises a releasing arrangement (313), for removing it from the position in where it presses wrapping material (310) against the second roller (309), to enable the second reel (307) be moved from the upper bearing seat (306) to the lower bearing seat (304) while feeding the wrapping material (310) from the second reel (307) to the outfeed (302) and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine (200).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a reel moving unit (350) configured to move the second reel (307) from the upper bearing seat (306) to the lower bearing seat (304) while the wrapping material (310) is fed from the second reel (307) to the outfeed (302) and further to the multi-lane wrapping machine (200).
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to any one of claims 2 to 12, further comprising a sensor (330) configured to detect when the first reel (305) is empty, for activating movement of the first roller (308) relative the second roller (309) in a direction towards each other.
The reel holder arrangement (300) according to claim 13, wherein the sensor (330) is configured to emit a beam of light (B) that, as seen in a vertical plane that has a normal direction which is parallel to an axis of the lower bearing seat (304), crosses a geometrical line (L) that stretches from a center portion of the lower bearing seat (304) to a center portion of the first further roller (314a).
A method (1400) for feeding wrapping material (310) from a reel holder arrangement (300) according to any preceding claim, the method (1400) comprising
providing (S1402) a first reel (305) of wrapping material (310) to the lower bearing seat (304);

providing (S1404) a second reel (307) of wrapping material (310) to the upper bearing seat (306);

feeding (S1406) wrapping material (310) from the first reel (305) to the outfeed (302);

splicing (S1408) the wrapping material (310) from the first reel (30) and the second reel (307);

feeding (S1410) wrapping material (310) from the second reel (305) to the outfeed (302);

removing (S1412) a reel core (305') of the first reel (305) from the lower bearing seat (304);

moving (S1414) the second reel (307) from the upper bearing seat (306) to the lower bearing seat (304), while the feeding (S1410) of wrapping material (310) from the second reel (307) to the outfeed (302) continues; and

providing (S1416) a third reel of wrapping material (310) to the upper bearing seat (306).