FI126888B

FI126888B - Method for attaching the end of a fiber web to a fiber web reel and fastener distribution system for securing the end of a fiber web to a fiber web reel adjacent to a roller cutting machine

Info

Publication number: FI126888B
Application number: FI20165507A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Jaakko Haapanen; Kenneth Åkerlund
Original assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2016-06-17
Filing date: 2016-06-17
Publication date: 2017-07-14
Also published as: FI20165507A; CN107521998B; CN107521998A; DE102017112637A1

Description

A method of securing the end of fiber web to a fiber web roll and an attachment article distribution system for securing the end of fiber web roll to a fiber web roll in connection with a winder-slitter

Technical field [001] The present invention relates to a method of securing the ends of fiber web rolls with an attachment article to the surface of the rolls in a slitter-winder unit according to the preamble of claim 1.

[002] Invention relates also to an attachment article distribution system for securing the ends of fiber web rolls with an attachment article to the surface of the rolls in a slitter-winder unit according to the preamble of the independent apparatus claim.

Background art [003] In a papermaking process the paper is produced in continuous manner and the produced paper is reeled in large rolls called jumbo rolls or machine rolls. The machine roll is of the width of the trimmed paper coming out of the paper machine. The machine rolls are used as an intermediate storage during the production and the paper is converted into smaller rolls, i.e. so called customer rolls in a one or more winder-slitter units. The size of the customer roll is determined by the requirements of the end use, generally referred to as the converting process.

[004] The customer rolls are winded to have a predetermined width and diameter and the end of the roll is secured to the roll in order to avoid loosening to the rolls.

[005] In prior art winders in the papermaking industry, the various methods of securing the fiber web ends are known. Methods can be manual, but today the efficiency reasons drive the paper mills interests to get many functions of papermaking to be automatized. Glue is one common attachment means to secure the fiber web ends, also a tape is a commonly used attachment means. The problem with securing the fiber web ends with the glue is that the glue will adhere to and damage the top layers of the rolls. Therefore the tape is more preferable to use, which is, however, more difficult to automatize reliably.

[006] An example of the prior art is WO2015005843 A1. It discloses an automatized tape dispenser. For the securing of the fiber web end of rolls, tapes, which shall be applied onto the rolls, are transferred from the tape dispenser to a tape conveyor such that the tapes will contact the conveyor through their non-adhering surface at a distance from one another corresponding to the distances needed for secure the ends of the rolls of fiber web material. The conveyor with the tapes thereafter is moved towards the fiber web rolls, each tape being directed towards that place on the rolls where the tape shall be applied with an adhering side brought into contact with the roll and secured to the roll at the said place. The conveyor then is removed, the tapes remaining secured to the rolls.

[007] However, a major drawback with these kind of prior art tape dispensers is that the securing the fiber web roll ends has to be done inside the winder. This causes a loss of the capacity of the winding machine.

[008] EP 3009383 A1 discloses a method of securing a trailing end of a web in a web roll to a surface of the web roll in a slitter-winder such that one or more attachment articles is attached to extend over a trailing end of the web on the roll surface. One or more attachment articles provided with an adhesive surface are positioned on a path of movement of the web roll, the adhesive surface of the articles towards the web roll, and while the roll is moved said one or more attachment articles are attached on the surface of the web roll. This suggest a separate transport system simultaneously moving along with moving the web roll by rotating it. This solution is advantageous as such but there is a need to improve the attachment of the attachment articles onto the roll surface.

[009] JP H082756 discloses a winding tail stopping operation by automatically sticking an adhesive tape on a winding tail of the full wind roll in no relation to a diameter of a full wind roll or thickness of a web. In winding a web, in the downstream of a winding device comprising a pair of winding rollers, a turnable movable bridge and mutually cooperatively actuated adhesive tape fixing base and adhesive tape sticking device are provided, and after a web is cut, 1/2 length of an adhesive tape piece is fixed by cooperation of the adhesive tape fixing base and the adhesive tape sticking device to art end edge of a winding finish end part continued to a full wind roll, to protrude the rest of 1/2 length from the end edge, so as to perform preparation of fixing a winding tail to the full wind roll.

[0010] An object of the invention is to provide a simple and cost-efficient way to automatize the securing of the fiber web ends, in which the performance is considerably improved compared to the prior art solutions.

Disclosure of the Invention [0011] The objects of the invention can be met substantially as is disclosed in the independent claim and in the other claims describing more details of different embodiments of the invention.

[0012] According to the invention the ends of fiber web in fiber web rolls are secured with one or more attachment articles onto the surface of the rolls in a slitter-winder unit after the set of rolls has reached a desired diameter the fiber web rolls are discharged from the winder comprising a step of rotating the rolls on a support surface, and one or more attachment articles is distributed over the width of the set of the rolls by an attachment article distribution system. One or more attachment articles are arranged to the path of the set of rolls, on the support surface simultaneously discharging by rotating such that such that when the fiber web rolls are rolled over said attachment articles, said attachment articles are transferred onto the rolls securing the ends of the fiber web rolls to the surface of the rolls.

[0013] This provide an effect of improving the attachment of the attachment articles onto the roll. In the invention the mass of the rolls is utilized in pressing the attachment articles against the roll and this way securing the attachment articles reliably onto the rolls.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the invention during the attachment articles are transferred onto the rolls a force of at least 2000 N/m (length in cross machine directing) is applied to the attachment articles.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the usable application area in the rolls extend from one edge of a roll to an opposite edge of the roll and the attachment articles are positioned to be placed on the usable application area. This way positioning of an attachment article between the rolls is avoided.

[0016] When the set of rolls is rolled over the attachment articles the attachment articles are positioned immobile over a support surface over which the rolls are rolled.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention the attachment articles are arranged to the path of the set of rolls by an attachment article distribution system comprising a band or alike. The attachment articles are laid on the band and the band supporting the attachment articles is arranged to the path of the simultaneously discharging set of rolls. The band is arranged on the support surface such that the rolls are arranged to roll over the band on the support surface, and when the fiber web rolls are rolled over the band, the attachment articles are transferred from the band onto the rolls making use of the mass of the fiber web roll securing the ends of the fiber web rolls to the surface of the rolls.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the invention the attachment articles are arranged to the path of the set of rolls by an attachment article distribution system which is arranged to lay the attachment articles directly on the floor of the machine of the fiber web machine.

[0019] When the attachment of the ends of the web on the rolls to the roll is performed outside the slitter-winder the securing of the ends of the fiber web rolls do not effect on the efficiency of the winder-slitter since the winding of next set of rolls may commenced with minimum delay.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention the attachment articles are laid over the support surface one by one at a predetermined cross directional position. The positions of the attachment articles is selected according to the slitting positions of the web in the slitting-winder i.e. based on so called trim settings.

[0021] This provides an effective and straightforward manner of securing the ends of the rolls appropriately according to the widths of the rolls selectable according to the need, in each roll of each set of rolls.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention the band extends from the first side of the winder-slitter to the second side thereof in the cross machine direction and it is moved by coiling the band at the second side of the winder-slitter and uncoiling the band at the first side of the winder-slitter.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the invention diameter of the set of the rolls is acknowledged and the position of the attachment article distribution system in the machine direction is set such that the attachment articles are placed on the surface of the roll to extend over the end of the last layer of the fiber web in the roll, when the fiber web rolls are rolled over the attachment article distribution system.

[0024] This way securing of ends of the rolls having different diameter is made possible.

[0025] According to another embodiment of the invention the angular position of the web rolls is adjusted in the slitter-winder prior to or during discharging the rolls such that the trailing end of web meets the position of the attachment articles placed on the support surface when the rolls are rolling over the attachment articles.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention while the attachment articles are laid on the band one by one at the predetermined cross directional position the laying of the attachment articles is assisted by an underpressure effecting on the currently laid attachment article through the band. This provide an additional or alternative manner of securing of ends of the rolls having different diameter.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the invention in the method after the position of the band in the machine direction has been changed the band is moved in cross direction before laying attachment articles on the band. This ensures that the band is in straight and plain before the attachment articles are positioned on the band.

[0028] Keeping of the attachment articles at its place on the band can be assisted by for example applying or otherwise providing adhesive or a spot of adhesive between the attachment article a3nd the band and/or applying static electricity to the band. It is also feasible to include e.g. an additional band to cover the attachment articles partially at an edge thereof. Further, it is also feasibly to provide a folded section to the band such that an edge of the attachment articles is between the band and its folded section.

[0029] Attachment article distribution system for securing the ends of fiber web rolls with attachment articles to the surface of the rolls in a slitter-winder unit is arranged to operate over a width of the set of rolls in the slitter-winder. The attachment article distribution system is provided with an attachment article dispenser. The attachment article distribution system is arranged to position the attachment articles over a support surface over which the over which the fiber web rolls are arranged to rotate when discharged from the slitter-winder and the attachment articles arranged to be transferred onto the rolls securing the ends of the fiber web rolls to the surface of the rolls.

[0030] The attachment article distribution system according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a band or alike arranged to extend over a width of the set of rolls and the band is supported by the support surface over which the fiber web rolls are arranged to rotate when discharged from the slitter-winder and the attachment articles are arranged to be transferred onto the rolls securing the ends of the fiber web rolls to the surface of the rolls.

[0031] Attachment article distribution system for securing the ends of fiber web rolls with an attachment article onto the surface of the rolls in connection with a slitter-winder unit comprises a band and a first and a second band storage stations wherein the band is arranged to extend between the storage stations, an attachment article dispenser arranged at least to one of the first and the second storage stations. The storage stations are attached to a body structure comprising attachment means for attaching the body structure to a support surface mov-ably in machine direction r.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the invention the body structure is provided with positioning means for controllably moving the storage station and the attachment article dispenser in respect to the body structure in the machine direction.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the invention the attachment article distribution system is provided with a computer controller unit which is provided with executable instructions to control the positioning means to set the distance of the band from the slitter-winder such that the that the attachment articles are placed over the surface of the roll to extend over the end of the last layer of the fiber web in the roll, when the fiber web rolls are rolled over the band of the attachment article distribution system.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the invention the storage station comprises a coiling unit for coiling and un-coiling the band.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention the storage station comprises a buffer where the band is guided over rolls the distance of which to each other is changed for storing or discharging the band from the storage station.

[0036] The attachment article comprises a support sheet with adhesive on its one side, an example of which is an adhesive tape. The attachment article dispenser may be provided with integrated or separate printer by means of which visually or otherwise readable information may be applied to the attachment article. Advantageously the readable information contains roll specific information. Thus the readable information may be also such that it is invisible to human but still readable by a computer system.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the invention the readable information is printed on the attachment article while dispensing the adhesive tape from the dispenser.

[0038] The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented in this patent application are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.

[0039] The present invention is also applicable to handling various types of paper and board grades as well as pulp. Paper and board are available in a wide variety of types and can be divided according to basis weight in two grades: papers with a single ply and a basis weight of 25-300 g/m2 and boards manufactured in multi-ply technology and having a basis weight of 150-600 m/m2. It should be noted that the borderline between paper and board is flexible since board grades with lightest basis weights are lighter than the heaviest paper grades. Generally speaking, paper is used for printing and board for packaging.

[0040] The subsequent descriptions are examples of values presently applied for fiber webs, and there may be considerable fluctuations from the disclosed values. The descriptions are mainly based on the source publication Papermaking Science and Technology, section Papermaking Part 3, edited by Jokio, M. , published by Fapet Oy, Jyväskylä 1999,361 pages.

[0041] Mechanical-pulp based, i. e. wood-containing printing papers include newsprint, uncoated magazine and coated magazine paper.

[0042] Newsprint is composed either completely of mechanical pulp or may contain some bleached softwood pulp (0-15%) and/or recycled fiber to replace some of the mechanical pulp. General values for newsprint can probably be regarded as follows: basis weight 40-48.8 g/m2, ash content (SCAN-P 5: 63) 0-20%, PPS S10 roughness (SCAN-P 76-95) 3.0-4. 5 urn, Bendtsen roughness (SCAN-P21: 67) 100-200 ml/min, density 600-750 kg/m3, brightness (ISO 2470: 1999) 57-63%, and opacity (ISO 2470: 1998) 90-96%.

[0043] Uncoated magazine paper (SC = supercalendered) usually contains mechanical pulp to 50-70%, bleached softwood pulp to 10-25%, and fillers to 15-30%. Typical values for calendered SC paper (containing e. g. SC-C, SCB, and SC-A/A+) include basis weight 40-60 g/m2, ash content (SCAN-P 5: 63) 0-35%, Hunter gloss (ISO/DIS 8254/1) < 20-50%, PPS slO roughness (SCAN-P 76: 95) 1.0-2. 5 urn, density 700-1250 kg/m3, brightness (ISO 2470: 1999) 62-70%, and opacity (ISO 2470: 1998) 90-95%.

[0044] Coated magazine paper(LWC = lightweight coated) contains mechanical pulp to 40-60%, bleached softwood pulp to 25-40%, and fillers and coaters to 20- 35%. General values for LWC paper can be regarded as follows: basis weight 40-70 g/m2, Hunter gloss 50-65%, PPS S10 roughness 0.8-1. 5 um (offset) and 0.6-1. 0 um (roto), density 1100-1250 kg/m3, brightness 70- 75%, and opacity 89-94%.

[0045] General values for MFC paper (machine finished coated) can be regarded as follows : basis weight 50-70 g/m2, Hunter gloss 25-70%, PPS S10 roughness 2.2-2. 8 um, density 900-950 kg/m3, brightness 70-75%, and opacity 91-95%.

[0046] General values for FCO paper (film coated offset) can be regarded as follows : basis weight 40-70 g/m2, Hunter gloss 45-55%, PPS S10 roughness 1.5-2. 0 um, density 1000-1050 kg/m3, brightness 70-75%, and opacity 91-95%.

[0047] General values for MWC paper (medium weight coated) can be regarded as follows : basis weight 70-90 g/m2, Hunter gloss 65-75%, PPS S10 roughness 0.6-1. 0 um, density 1150-1250 kg/m3, brightness 70-75%, and opacity 89- 94%.

[0048] HWC (heavy weight coated) has a basis weight of 100-135 g/m2 and can be coated even more than twice.

[0049] Pulp-produced, woodfree printing papers or fine papers include uncoated and coated pulp-based printing papers, in which the portion of mechanical pulp is less than 10%.

[0050] Uncoated pulp-based printing papers (WFU) contains bleached birch-wood pulp to 55-80%, bleached softwood pulp to 0-30%, and fillers to 10-30%.

[0051] The values with WFU are highly unstable : basis weight 50-90 9/m2 (up to 240 g/m2), Bendtsen roughness 250-400 ml/min, brightness 86-92%, and opacity 83-98%.

[0052] In coated pulp-based printing papers (WFC), the amounts of coating vary widely in accordance with requirements and intended application. The following are typical values for once-and twice-coated, pulp-based printing paper: once-coated basis weight 90 g/m2, Hunter gloss 65-80%, PPS S10 roughness 0.75-2. 2 urn, brightness 80-88%, and opacity 91-94%, and twice-coated basis weight 130 g/m2, Hunter gloss 70-80%, PPS S10 roughness 0.65-0. 95 μηη, brightness 83-90%, and opacity 95-97%.

[0053] Release papers have a basis weight within the range of 25-150 g/m2.

[0054] Other papers include e. g. sackkraft papers, tissues, and wallpaper bases.

[0055] Board making makes use of chemical pulp, mechanical pulp and/or recycled pulp. Boards can be divided e. g. in the following main groups according to applications thereof.

[0056] Corrugated board, comprising a liner and a fluting.

[0057] Boxboards, used for making boxes, cases. Boxboards include e. g. liquid packaging boards (FBB = folding boxboard, LPB = liquid packaging board, WLC = white-lined chipboard, SBS = solid bleached sulphite, SUS = solid unbleached sulphite).

[0058] Graphic boards, used for making e. g. cards, files, folders, cases, covers, etc.

[0059] Wallpaper bases.

[0060] As can be appreciated from the above, there is a wide range of paper and board grades, and a multitude of various machines are used for making the same.

Brief Description of Drawings [0061] In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying exemplary, schematic drawings, in which

Figure 1 illustrates a slitter-winder according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 illustrates an attachment article distribution system according to an embodiment of the invention seen in front of the slitter winder,

Figure 3 illustrates the attachment article distribution system of Figure 2 seen from above, and

Figure 4 illustrates a detail of an attachment article distribution system according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5 illustrates an attachment article distribution system according to an embodiment of the invention

Figure 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of an attachment article distribution system according to another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of an attachment article distribution system according to another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 8 illustrates an attachment article distribution system according to another embodiment of the invention, and.

Figure 9 illustrates an attachment article distribution system according to still another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Drawings [0062] Figure 1 depicts schematically a slitter-winder 10 which is of two-drum type. The slitter-winder comprises to carrier rolls 12, 13 and a press device 18, here being a press roll 18, as its main components. At least the press roll is arranged movable such that is may follow the growing set of rolls 14 while supporting them from the above. The set of rolls 14 is comprised of a number of parallel rolls 14.1.....14.n-1, 14.n. The carrier rolls 12, 13 and the press roll 18 are used to rotatably support the set of fiber web rolls 14.1 - 14.n being wound to be so called customer rolls. The slitter-winder is also provided with a slitting section 11 arranged to slit the running web w into multiple partial webs w\ as is known in the art as such.

[0063] When the set of rolls is ready the partial webs w’ are cut (not shown) and the set of rolls are removed from the winder 10 by moving the set of rolls in a machine direction MD, meaning a general direction of running web in the system. Cross direction CD is a direction substantially perpendicular to the machine direction. The winder 10 is provided with a pusher device 16 for moving the set of rolls out of the winder 10. In the figure 1 there is shown a situation where a first set of rolls 14 has already been wound to their full diameter and has been moved out of the winder 10 while winding of a new set of rolls 14 has begun. As is obvious, when the partial web is cut, there is a trailing end of the fiber web 14’ in each roll which needs to be secured on the surface of the roll so that the roll will not unwind or become loose.

[0064] There is a sloping support surface 20 in connection with the winder- slitter, more particularly after the winder-slitter in the machine direction MD. The support surface 20 defines a path of the set of rolls 14 moved forward from the winder-slitter 10. That is because the rolls are moved by controllably rotating the roll along the support surface 20. The movement of the roll may be controlled by a movable support device 25 such as a roll. This provides a straightforward means for moving the rolls 14.1 - 14.n forwards from the winder 10 while the trailing end of the fiber web in each roll of the set of rolls is secured to the roll 14. In the figure 1 the first set of rolls 14 is on the sloping support surface 20. The support surface 20 may lead for example to a conveyor 22 for further handling the processed rolls. A trailing end 14’ of the partial web w’ in the roll 14.1 is shown here in an extremely exaggerated manner for illustrative purposes only.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the invention the movable support device 25 may be operated as a pusher device in which case the support surface may horizontal.

[0066] The slitter-winder 10 is provided with an attachment article distribution system 24 for securing a trailing end 14’ of a fiber web of each roll 14 in the set. The attachment article distribution system 24 is described in the figure 2 in more detailed manner.

[0067] With the reference to the figures 2 and 3 the attachment article distribution system 24 for securing the ends 14’ of fiber web rolls 14.1 -14.n with an attachment article to the surface of the rolls comprises firstly a band 26 on which its operation is based. The band 26 is substantially thin and flexible member which is arranged to extend from a first side 30 of the winder-slitter to the second side 28 of the winder-slitter. The band may be made of e.g. metal, polymer, rubber and it may be provided with suitable reinforcing means, if applicable. The band is about 50 - 500 mm wide, meaning its dimension in the machine direction. Technically the band may be comprised also of several separate parallel successive or overlapping bands, but it is believed that providing the desired width with one band is most advantageous way in practise. The band 26 is arranged slidably against to the solid support surface 20. This way it is the support surface 20 which actually supports the roll, and the band is only pressed between the rolls 14.1 -14.n and the support surface 22. The support surface 20 may be part of roll handling system of the winder-slitter. As an alternative the support surface 20 may also be a floor of the machine hall where the slitter-winder is installed. The attachment article distribution system 24 comprises further a first and a second band storage stations 32, 34 between which the band 26 is arranged to extend. Further, there is an attachment article dispenser 36 arranged at least to one of the first 32 and the second storage stations 34. Each one of the storage stations is provided with a body structure 38. The storage stations 32, 34 are attached to a body structure 38 provided for the storage stations. The body structure 38 is provided with attachment means 40 for attaching the body structure 38 to the support surface 20 on which the fiber web rolls are arranged to rotate when discharged from the winder-slitter. Even if not shown here the dispenser may be provided with an attachment article storage where more than one attachment article rolls are provided. Suitable roll for the fiber web is selected under control of a computer control unit 100. It is also conceivable that one storage station 34 is provided with more than one attachment article dispenser 36 for optimizing the attachment articles to suit best for the web grade in the rolls.

[0068] As is depicted in the figure 1 and figure 2 the body structure is provided with positioning means 42 for controllable moving and positioning the storage station 32, 34 as well as the attachment article dispenser 36 and, thus, also the band 26 in respect to the body structure and the winder. This provides an effect of making it possible to position the band 26 in machine direction (direction perpendicular to the plane of figure 2) to such position that when the fiber web rolls are rolled over the band, the ends of the fiber web rolls are placed against the band.

[0069] The attachment article dispenser is arranged to apply a strip of attachment article on the band 26 in the machine direction by cutting a suitable piece from an adhesive article provided with an adhesive surface on its one side. The attachment article is placed on the bank its non-adhesive surface against the band 26. Each of the attachment article strips 49 is positioned on a path of movement of the fiber web roll 14.1 to a predetermined position by appropriate placing the strips on the band and then moving the band in the cross machine direction. In case both of the storage stations are provided with an attachment article dispenser it is possible to apply the attachment articles onto the band 26 while moving the band in both directions.

[0070] The movement of the band 26 is accomplished by the band storage stations 34, 32 provided in both sides of the winder-slitter such that the band extends along the support surface 20 from the first side 30 of slitter-winder to the second side of the slitter-winder 28. The storage station 32, 34 provides a function of receiving and storing the band 26 in a compact way and also discharge the band from the storage. In other words the band in this embodiment is not an endless loop but a band with a first and a second ends. The storage stations 32, 34 comprises in the embodiment of the figures 2 and 3 a coiling unit 46 for coiling and un-coiling the band 26 over is coiling shaft provided with a controllable motor (not shown). The motor may be for example a stepper motor. The movement function is depicted by the arrows in the figures 2 and 3. When the band is moved, one of the storage stations is arranged to coil in the band while the other is un-coiling the band. This way the band is coiled and un-coiled back and forth while operation the attachment article distribution system. In some cases it could be feasible that only one of the coiling unit 46 is provided with a motor and the other one is then provided with e.g. a spring system to maintain a predetermined tension in the band and coiling the band in when the other one of the storage stations uncoils the band.

[0071] Figure 4 discloses an embodiment of the storage station 32 comprising a band buffer where the band is guided over rolls 48, 50 the distance of which to each other is changed for storing or discharging the band from the storage station 32. Here the roll comprise two sets of rolls 48,50 via which the band is guided alternately and when the distance between the sets of rolls is changed the length of the band in the buffer is changed accordingly. Here the actuator may be for example a linear motor arranged in connection with a linear guide system. By these examples it is shown that the buffer function of the band storage may be accomplished in different manners.

[0072] Now turning back to the figures 1 and 2 the operation of the attachment article distribution system and a method of securing the ends of the fiber web rolls 14.1 - 14.n are explained. The ends 14’ of the fiber web roll are secured on the surface of the roll 14.1 after the roll is finished, more specifically while or after the set of rolls is discharged from the winder. At this stage the set of rolls are rotating on the support surface 20 in parallel away from the slitter-winder 10. The attachment article distribution system 24 is set ready for securing the ends of the fiber web rolls 14.1 - 14.n. The attachment article distribution system is ready when the attachment articles 44 are distributed over the width of the set of the rolls in the cross machine direction such that there is at least one attachment article strip for each one of the rolls. The individual attachment articles have desired dimension in the machine direction and there is a desired number of attachment articles at the width of each roll for proper securing the ends of the rolls. Depending on e.g. the width of the roll and certain qualities of the fiber web on the roll there may be more strips of the attachment article distributed over the width of one roll. The band 26, on which the attachment articles are distributed is arranged on a support surface 26 such that the rolls are arranged to roll over the band on the support surface, and when the fiber web rolls are rolled over the band, the attachment articles are transferred from the band 26 onto the rolls securing the ends of the fiber web rolls to the surface of the rolls 14.1 -14.n.

[0073] The attachment articles 44 are laid on the band 26 one by one at a predetermined cross directional position i.e. having a predetermined distance between the attachment articles 44. This is performed so that firstly a first attachment article 44 is laid on the band 26. Next the band is moved over a distance which is desired between the two first attachment articles. The distance depends on e.g. the width of the roll, the fiber web quality and the attachment article quality. If for example a 500mm distance between the attachment articles is desired the band is moved 500 mm after the first attachment article has been laid and then a second attachment article is laid on the band. Say that the next attachment article will be for the next roll in the set of rolls so the band may be moved for example 200 mm before a third attachment article is applied on the band. This means that the edge attachment articles will be about at the distance of 100mm from the ends of the rolls. Thus the attachment articles are laid such that the band is moved and the attachment article is laid alternatively providing desired distances between the attachment articles.

[0074] An effective area of each attachment article is controllable by adjusting the length of the attachment article dispensed from the dispenser 36. Advantageously the attachment articles are stored a rolls in the dispenser 36 and the cut length of the attachment article rules the width which is covered on the fiber web roll 14.1 ... 14.n. According to an embodiment of the invention the adhesive area for each set of rolls 14 is set separately.

[0075] The adhesive area covered by the attachment articles maybe based on and selected using predetermined properties of the fiber web. Such properties may be for example grammage of the web, stiffness of the web and/or surface properties, such as smoothness. This way the usage of the attachment article is optimized.

[0076] The position of the band in the machine direction may be determined such that diameter of the set of the rolls is acknowledged and the position of the attachment article distribution system in the machine direction is set such that the attachment articles are placed on the surface of the roll to extend over the end of the last layer of the fiber web in the roll, when the fiber web rolls are rolled over the attachment article distribution system. The acknowledgement of the diameter may be accomplished by e.g. from a process computer as production information or also a by measuring the roll e.g. optically.

[0077] The band may be permeable to air and the attachment article distribution system may be provided with a suction box 47 arranged at opposite side of band 26 at the location of the attachment article dispenser 36 so that while the attachment articles 44 are laid on the band 26 the laying of the attachment articles is assisted by the underpressure effecting on the attachment article being currently laid through the band 26.

[0078] The operation of the storage stations is synchronized such that the one station receives band at same speed as the other station discharges.

[0079] The ends of the rolls are secured while winding of a new set of rolls 14 is commenced in the slitter-winder 10. This increases the capacity of the system remarkably since the slitting operation may be commenced immediately after the roll has been released from the winding section.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the invention the method may be improved particularly when the position of the band in the machine direction is adjustable within a range of about ±200 mm, with wider adjustment which is achieved by adjusting the angular position of the web rolls in the slitter-winder prior to or during discharging the rolls such that the trailing end of web 14’ meets the position of the attachment articles 44 placed on the support surface when the rolls are rolling over the attachment articles.

[0081] The attachment article distribution system 24 is provided with a computer controller unit 100. According to an embodiment of the invention the computer controller unit is provided with executable instructions to control the positioning means 42 to set the distance of the band 26 from the slitter-winder such that the attachment articles 44 will placed on the surface of the roll to extend over the end of the last layer of the fiber web in the roll, when the fiber web rolls 14.1 - 14.n are rolled over the band 26 of the attachment article distribution system 24. Thus, the computer controller and the executable instruction is provided with the information of the diameter of the rolls in the set and also the angular position of the end of the web i.e. the trailing end of the fiber web is known and made available to the computer controller. Also the path of the simultaneously discharging set of rolls is known and defined by the design of the slitter-winder. Now, the executable instruction comprises a calculation routine which defines the required position of the band 26 and the attachment articles 44 on it in order to transfer the attachment articles to extend over the trailing end of the fiber web on the roll.

[0082] According to an embodiment of the invention in case the position of the band in the machine direction has been changed, the band is moved in cross direction before laying attachment articles on the band. This ensures that the band is in straight and plain before the attachment articles are positioned on the band.

[0083] According to another embodiment of the invention the computer controller unit is provided with executable instructions to control the rotational position of the set of rolls 14 in the slitter-winder after cutting the web such an initial position of the rolls is adjusted so that the end of web meets the position of the attachment articles 44 placed on the support surface when rolling over the attachment articles such that the attachment articles are transferred on the rolls to extend over the end of the last layer of the fiber web in the roll, when the fiber web rolls 14.1 - 14.n are rolled over the band 26 of the attachment article distribution system 24. Thus, the computer controller and the executable instruction is provided with the information of the diameter of the rolls in the set, the distance of the band 26 from the slitter-winder, such that the angular position of the end of the web i.e. the trailing end of the fiber web may be suitably adjusted in the slitter-winder prior to or during discharging the rolls. Also the path of the simultaneously discharging set of roll is known and defined by the design of the slitter-winder. Now, the executable instruction comprises a calculation routine which defines the required angular position of the end of the web on the rolls 14.1 - 14.n in order to transfer the attachment articles to extend over the trailing end of the fiber web on the roll.

[0084] According to another embodiment of the invention the computer controller unit 100 is provided with executable instructions to set the adhesive area of each attachment article based on predetermined properties of the fiber web. Such properties may be for example grammage of the web, stiffness of the web and/or surface properties, such as smoothness.

[0085] Figure 5 shows another embodiment according to the invention. In this embodiment of the invention the attachment article distribution system 24 for securing the ends 14’ of fiber web rolls 14.1 -14.n with an attachment article to the surface of the rolls comprises an endless loop of a band 26. The band 26 is substantially thin member which is arranged to extend from a first side 30 of the winder-slitter to the second side 28 of the winder-slitter as an endless loop. The the attachment article distribution system 24 is provided with suitable guiding rolls 52 at the ends thereof for guiding the band and maintained desired tension in the band. At least one of the guiding rolls 52 is provided with a controllable drive 53, such a stepper motor. As is depicted by the dotted lines 26’ in the figure a return part of the band 26’ may be guided via additional guiding rolls (not shown). There is also an attachment article dispenser 36 arranged at least to one of the ends of the attachment articles distribution system 24.

[0086] Also in this embodiment the band may be permeable to air and the attachment article distribution system may be provided with a suction box 47 arranged at side of band 26 opposite to the attachment articles 44. The suction box 47 extends here between the guiding rolls 52 so that while the attachment articles 44 are laid on the band 26 the laying of the attachment articles is assisted by the underpressure effecting on the attachment article being laid through the band 26 as well as when the attachment articles are distributed to their correct location in CD direction. The underpressure is created by connecting the inner volume of the suction box to a source of vacuum 54.

[0087] The band may be made of e.g. metal, polymer, rubber and it may be provided with suitable reinforcing means, if applicable. The band is about 50 - 500 mm wide in the machine direction.

[0088] In the figure 6 there is shown a cross section of an advantageous embodiment of the invention illustrating the sectional view VI-VI in the figure 5. This can be applied also to the embodiment of figure 2. Here the attachment article distribution system 24 comprises a separate support part 56 on to top of which is arranged a support surface 20. The support surface 20 at the top of the support part is arranged substantially on the same level with the surrounding support surface, such as the floor of the machine hall. There is a space 58 provided in to the floor of the machine hall where the support part 56 is embedded. The attachment article distribution system 24 comprises and endless loop of a belt 26 arranged to run over guiding rolls 52 as is depicted in the figure 5. The band 26 is permeable to air and the attachment article distribution system 24 is provided with a suction box 47 is arranged vertically or substantially vertically movable as is shown by the arrows in the figure. There are two parallel bands 26 in the attachment article distribution system 24 arranged at both side of the support part 56.

The edges of the attachment articles 44 are held by the band and the underpressure subjected to the articles 44 and the middle area is slid over the support suface 20 when the attachment articles are positioned to the correct places. The support part 56 receives the mass of the set of rolls 14 and the band 26 only presses against the rolls as required to transfer the attachment articles onto the rolls. In other words in this embodiment the set of rolls 14 is supported by a separate support part 56 while the position of the band 26 is adapting such that the band need not to bear the force caused by the mass of the roll 14.1.

[0089] The support surface 20 on top of the support part 56 is formed and its material is selected and designed such that the transfer of the attachment articles is facilitated, such as adjusting the tension of the attachment articles.

[0090] Figure 7 shown otherwise similar attachment article distribution system 24 to that in the figure 6 but here the support part is replaced by the actual floor section of the machine hall where the space 58 for the attachment article distribution system 24 is provided. The support surface 20 is arranged by making use of the floor section where optionally separate part for facilitating the transfer of the attachment article 44 is provided. In this embodiment there is only one band 26 to facilitate the distribution of the attachment articles 44.

[0091] In the figure 8 there is shown a still further embodiment of the attachment article distribution system 24 provided according to the invention. There is a roll of support sheet 60 and an adhesive applicator 62 arranged on the body structure 38. The attachment article distribution system 24 is provided with a puller 64 which is provided with an arm 66. The arm is provided with a gripping means 68 at its end for gripping to the end of the support sheet 60. In the attachment article distribution system 24 the attachment article 44 comprises a support sheet onto which adhesive is applied by an adhesive applicator 62 during the support sheet is drawn from a roll 60 to the path of the set of rolls 14. The adhesive is applied on one side of the support sheet. Adhesive may be applied continuously covering the whole sheet. Alternatively the adhesive may be applied intermittently to cover only predetermined spots or areas on the support sheet 60. According to an embodiment of the invention the support sheet is made of the web produced by the machine where the slitter-winder is installed. According to an embodiment of the invention the support sheet is same fiber web as the fiber web on the fiber web rolls 14.1 ... 14.n.

[0092] The puller is provided with an actuator 70 for linearly moving the arm 66 over the width of the set of rolls 14 in controllable manner. The roll of the support sheet, the adhesive applicator 62 and the actuator 70 are arranged under control of the computer control unit 100 such that the rotation of the roll 60 and the movement of the arm 66 and the application of the adhesive are synchronized to meet the slitting positions of the web in the slitting in the slitter-winder.

[0093] The support sheet is discharged from a roll of continuous support sheet by means of gripping the end of the support sheet 60 and pulling the end to the opposite side 28 such that the support sheet 60 is arranged over the support surface 20. The support sheet may be perforated to cut more easily when the rolls 14.1 ... 14.n are departing from each other during the handling of the rolls.

[0094] The body structure 38 is provided with attachment means 40 for attaching the body structure 38 to the support surface 20 on which the fiber web rolls are arranged to rotate when discharged from the winder-slitter. As is also depicted in the figure 8 the body structure 38 is provided with positioning means 42 for controllable moving and positioning the attachment article distribution system 24 in machine direction.

[0095] In the figure 9 there is shown another embodiment according to the invention. It has a common operational feature with the embodiment of the figure 8, namely that the attachments articles 44 are distributed over a support surface and they are laid directly on the floor i.e. without a band.

[0096] There is a body structure 38 which is provided with attachment means 40 for attaching the body structure 38 to the support surface 20 on which the fiber web rolls are arranged to rotate when discharged from the winder-slitter. As is also depicted in the figure 9 the body structure 38 is provided with positioning means 42 for controllable moving and positioning the attachment article distribution system 24 in machine direction.

[0097] The attachment article distribution system 24 is provided with a traversing device 72. The traversing device provided with an attachment article dispenser 36 arranged movably in the cross machine direction.

[0098] The traversing means 72 is provided with an actuator 70 for linearly moving the attachment article dispenser 36 over the width of the set of rolls 14 in controllable manner. The dispenser is provided with a roll of attachment article and a cutting means 37 for cutting the attachment article. The roll of the actuator 70 and the attachment article dispenser 36 are arranged under control of the computer control unit 100 such that the the movement of the attachment article dispenser 36 and the locations of the attachment articles are synchronized to meet the slitting positions of the web in the slitting in the slitter-winder.

[0099] While the invention has been described herein by way of examples in connection with what are, at present, considered to be the most preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various combinations or modifications of its features, and several other applications included within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. The details mentioned in connection with any embodiment above may be used in connection with another embodiment when such combination is technically feasible.

Claims

A method for securing the end of a fiber web reel (14.1) to the fiber web reel by means of one or more attachment means (44) on the surface of the reels in a length cutter unit (10), comprising: removing the fiber reel 10 from the cutter; comprising the step of rotating the rollers on the support surface (20), distributing one or more fasteners (44) to a width of a series of rollers (14.1) by means of the fastening distribution system (24), characterized in that one or more fasteners are provided on the support surface a set of rollers (14) which are simultaneously removed by rotation of the support surface (20) over said fastening means, whereby said fastening means are transferred to the rolls (14.1 to 14.n), securing the ends (14 ') of the fibrous web rolls to the surface of the rolls.

Method for fastening the end of a fiber web reel (14.1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the angular position of the web reels (14.1) is adjusted in the winder before or during removal of the reels (14.1) so that the end of the web (14 ') ) as the rollers rotate over the fixtures.

Method for fastening the end of a fiber web reel (14.1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (44) are distributed over a series of rolls (14.1) by a fastening delivery system (24) comprising a belt (26) on which the fastening devices (44) are wherein the belt (26) is arranged on a web of a series of rollers to be removed from the winder simultaneously, and the belt (26) is arranged on a support surface (20) such that the rollers (14.1) are wound over the belt (26) on the support surface; over the belt (26), the fastening means (44) move from the belt (26) to the rollers (14.1), securing the ends of the fibrous web rollers (14.1) to the surface of the rollers (14.1).

Method for fastening the end of a fibrous web reel (14.1) according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the fastening means (44) are individually placed on a predetermined transverse position on the belt (26) on the support surface (20) and the points of the fastening means (44) longitudinal section.

Method for fastening the end of a fibrous web reel (14.1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the belt (26) extends in the transverse direction of the machine from the first side (30) to the second side (28) of the winder and is moved by winding the belt (26) on and disassembling the belt (26) on the first side of the winder.

Method for fastening the end of a fiber web reel (14.1) according to claim 1, characterized by resetting the diameter of the series of reels (14.1) and adjusting the position of the fastening distribution system (24) in the machine direction so that the fasteners (44) over the head as the fiber web rolls (14.1) are wound over the fastening distribution system (24).

Method for fastening the end of a fibrous web reel (14.1) according to claim 3, characterized in that when the fastening means (44) are individually applied to the belt (26) at predetermined positions, the insertion of the fastening means (44) is assisted by vacuum (47). through a belt (26).

A method for fastening the end of a fibrous web reel (14.1) according to claim 3, characterized in that during the fastening of the fasteners to the reels (14.1 to 14.n), a force of at least 2000 N / m is applied to the fasteners (44).

A fastener delivery system (24) for securing the end (14 ') of the fiber web reel (14.1) to the fiber web reel (14.1) by one or more fasteners (44) on the surface of the reels (14.1) in connection with the winder assembly (10) a series (14) and is provided with a fastening material dispensing device (36), characterized in that the fastening delivery system (24) is arranged to place one or more fastening devices (44) on a support surface (20) over which the fiber web rollers (14.1) are rotated. when they are removed from the longitudinal cutter and one or more fastening means (44) are arranged to move onto the rolls by attaching the ends (14 ') of the fibrous web rolls to the surface of the rolls.

The fastening distribution system (24) according to claim 9, characterized in that the fastening distribution system (24) comprises a belt (26) arranged to extend over a width of a set of rollers (14) supported by a support surface (20) over which the fiber web rollers (14.1) are arranged to rotate as they are removed from the longitudinal cutter (10), and the fastening means (44) are arranged to move onto the rollers (14.1 to 14.n), securing the ends of the fiber web rollers (14 ') to the rollers.

The fastener delivery system (24) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the fastener delivery system (24) comprises a frame structure (38) comprising fastening means (40) for fastening the frame structure (38) in machine direction relative to the support surface (20). (14.1) are arranged to rotate as they are removed from the winder (10).

The fastening distribution system (24) according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening distribution system (24) further comprises first and second belt storage stations (32, 34) supported by a frame structure, the belt (26) being arranged to continue at the storage stations (32, 34). and a mounting device dispenser arranged at the first and / or second storage stations (32, 34).

The fastener delivery system (24) according to claim 9, characterized in that the fastener delivery system (24) is provided with a computer control unit (100) provided with executable instructions for adjusting the distance of the fastened fasteners (44) to the winder so that the fasteners (44) extending over the end of the last layer of fiber web on the roll when the fiber web rolls (14.1) are wound over the belt (26) of the fastening supply system (24).

The fastening distribution system (24) according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening distribution system (24) is provided with a computer control unit (100) provided with executable commands for adjusting the angular position of the strip roller set (14) in the winder before removing the rollers (14.1). such that the end of the web (14 ') is in contact with the mounting means (44) disposed on the support surface as the rollers rotate over the mounting means.

The fastening material distribution system (24) according to claim 12, characterized in that the storage station comprises a winding unit for winding and unloading the strap (26).

The fastening material distribution system (24) according to claim 10, characterized in that the belt (26) is an endless loop arranged to travel over a width of a set of rollers (14).