FI128618B

FI128618B - Receiving station of paper roll conveyor and method for roll feeding

Info

Publication number: FI128618B
Application number: FI20195219A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Jari Hannula
Original assignee: Raumaster Paper Oy
Priority date: 2019-03-25
Filing date: 2019-03-25
Publication date: 2020-08-31
Also published as: FI20195219A1; SE543564C2; SE2050322A1

Abstract

A receiving station and method of loading paper rolls on a conveyor. The receiving station (1) comprises a conveyor (2) and a sloping rolling surface (3) is located in transverse direction relative to the conveyor. The paper roll (4) may be rolled freely on rolling surface towards the conveyor. The rolling surface is at least partly movable in vertical direction. The rolling Surface has thereby an elevated loading position and a lowered transport position. In the transport position contact between the paper roll loaded on the conveyor and the adjacent rolling surface is prevented.

Description

Receiving station of paper roll conveyor and method for roll feeding Background of the invention The invention relates to handling of paper rolls which are transferred by means of a conveyor.

Especially the invention relates to feeding of the paper rolls on the conveyor at a paper mill.

The invention further relates to a method of feeding paper rolls on conveyor at a receiving station of a trans- verse conveyor.

The field of the invention is defined more specif- ically in the preambles of the independent claims.

Paper rolls are transferred at paper mills and other production plants and sites by means of conveyors, such as belt conveyors, chain conveyors, and slat or lamella con- veyors.

Feeding of rolls standing on their cylinder surfaces may be executed by rolling the paper rolls at a receiving station on a transverse sloping surface to the conveyor.

Size of the paper rolls becomes larger and larger and cause problems at the receiving stations.

Brief description of the invention An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved receiving station and method for roll feeding.

The receiving station according to the invention is > 25 characterized by the characterizing features of an inde- N pendent apparatus clain. 3 The method according to the invention is character- O ized by the charactering features and steps of an independ- = ent method claim. * 30 An idea of the disclosed solution is that paper 2 rolls standing on their sides, i.e. on their cylinder sur- 3 faces, are fed at a receiving station on a paper roll con- N veyor for transferring them to desired operational stations or target positions.

The receiving station comprises a conveyor capable of carrying paper rolls on it.

The conveyor forms a transport track and is configured to move towards transport direction.

The receiving station further comprises a roll- ing surface on a side of the conveyor.

Longitudinal direc- tion of the rolling surface 1s transverse relative to the direction of the conveyor.

The rolling surface is also in- clined relative to the horizontal plane.

Then the rolling surface slopes towards the transport track and allows the paper rolls standing on their cylinder surfaces to roll on the rolling surface towards the transport track.

Further- more, the rolling surface is at least partly movable in vertical direction.

Then at least a first end of the rolling surface closest to the conveyor is movable to an elevated feed position for feeding paper rolls, and to a lowered transport position for transporting the paper rolls by means of the conveyor.

An advantage of the disclosed solution is that since the present receiving station is provided with a vertically movable component, it allows handling larger diameter paper rolls.

The structure of the receiving station no longer limits the size and diameter of the paper rolls.

At least the portion closest to the conveyor is lowered after the feeding phase for the duration of the transportation on the conveyor, wherefore the paper rolls o on the conveyor cannot contact the rolling surface.

This O way the solution prevents sides of large dimensioned paper N rolls from getting rubbed against the rolling surface during ? the transportation on the conveyor.

N 30 Further, the solution is advantageous also when han- E dling rolls of soft paper qualities.

These soft rolls typ- o ically flatten at their lower portion, and because of this N flattening phenomenon more free space is required on the 2 side of the conveyor.

Thanks to the lowering feature of the N 35 rolling surface, soft rolls may also be loaded without prob- lems.

The present solution is also simple and durable.

According to an embodiment, since the rolls are rolling on the rolling surface because of gravity, no sep- arate transport apparatuses or actuators are needed on the rolling surface. Typically the rolling surface slopes 15 mm per 1 m, but the sloping angle may vary.

According to an embodiment, the disclosed receiving station and especially the vertically movable components are retrofittable in connection with the existing conveyors and receiving stations. This way the existing receiving stations may be updated for future paper rolls with greater diameters.

According to an embodiment, the conveyor is stopped for the duration of the loading. Thus, the conveyor is a non-continuously running conveyor.

According to an embodiment, the rolling surface is a one-piece structure. Then, the entire rolling surface is movable vertically. The rolling surface may be supported on vertical guide elements, or alternatively the actuator pro- vides proper support for the movement.

According to an embodiment, the rolling surface is a one-plece structure and is tiltable for elevating and lowering the first end of the rolling surface. In other words, only the first end closest to the conveyor moves vertically, whereas the opposite end is connected to support > structures by means of joints or hinges. O According to an embodiment, the rolling surface com- N prises at least two rolling surface components, namely a ? first rolling surface and a second rolling surface. The N 30 rolling surfaces are arranged successively in their longi- E tudinal direction. The first rolling surface is located o distally to the conveyor and is a fixed structure, whereas N the second rolling surface is located between the first 2 rolling surface and the conveyor. The second rolling surface N 35 is movable vertically at least partly.

According to an embodiment, the rolling surface is a two part structure as disclosed in the previous embodi- ment. In this solution the entire second rolling surface locating close to the conveyor is vertically movable.

According to an embodiment, the rolling surface com- prises a distal first part and an adjacent second part. The second rolling surface is tiltable so that the first end closest to the conveyor is movable vertically.

According to an embodiment, the second rolling sur- face part is hinged to the fixed first rolling surface. Then the second rolling surface may be tilted relative to a hinged end of the second rolling surface allowing thereby the first end of the second rolling surface to move verti- cally relative to the conveyor and to be positioned to the elevated feed position and to a lowered transport position.

According to an embodiment, the rolling surface com- prises a fixed rolling surface part and a movable rolling surface part part. The fixed first rolling surface belongs to a floor structure of the plant and is made of concrete or corresponding floor material.

According to an embodiment, the movable second roll- ing surface is made of steel plate material.

According to an embodiment, the movable rolling sur- face part is provided with bent portions which are config- ured to serve as security edges.

o According to an embodiment, movement of the rolling DO surface is generated by means of one or more actuators. The N actuator may be pressure medium operated or electrically ? operable. The actuator may be a cylinder or alternatively N 30 it may be a motor connected to a mechanical transmission E means for converting the rotary movement into linear move- o ment. Further possibility is to utilize elements which are N expanded by means of pressure medium fed inside them. Thus, 2 the actuator may be a pneumatic bellows for example.

N 35

According to an embodiment, the receiving station comprises at least one actuator for generating linear move- ment.

The linear actuator is connected to a transmission mechanism comprising at least two support rollers arranged 5 to be moved along wedge shaped linear transfer paths under- neath a bottom surface of the rolling surface.

When linear actuator 1s actuated, the support rollers move along the wedge surface fording the movable part of the rolling sur- face to move vertically.

In this embodiment, the horizontal linear movement is converted into vertical lifting movement.

Height of the disclosed lifting system is low which facil- itates its mounting below the movable part of the rolling surface.

According to an embodiment, the lifting arrangement is as it is disclosed in the previous embodiment.

The men- tioned wedge surface may be a so called coulisse element mounted on a bottom surface of the movable part of the rolling surface.

According to an embodiment, the above mentioned wedge surface or element may comprise horizontal end por- tions and a slanted portion between them.

The horizontal ends have different levels corresponding to the higher roll- ing position and lower conveying position.

The slanted por- tion is configured to generate the lifting movement when the rollers are moved horizontally.

Holding the rolling o surface at the lower level and at the higher level requires DO no energy since the system rests on horizontal end surfaces.

N Then no horizontal force component is generated.

The dis- ? closed system is well suitable for heavy loads, since ver- N 30 tical forces are transmitted directly through the mechani- E cal elements.

The solution is mechanically simple and is o also simple to control.

N According to an embodiment, the receiving station 2 comprises at least one pressure medium operated bellows for N 35 generating the vertical movement for the rolling surface.

Then one or more pneumatic or hydraulic bellows may bearranged below the rolling surface or its moving part. The bellows may be in direct contact with the bottom surface of the rolling surface, or alternatively, the generated move- ment of the bellows may be transmitted by means of mechan- ical transmission elements. The bellows is configures to expand when pressurized fluid is directed inside it. This expansion generates motion, which is directed to the rolling surface. The bellows may have a tubular hose-like structure and it may be manufactured of resilient material.

According to an embodiment, the receiving station comprises one or more electric actuators for generating the needed movement for moving the rolling surface or part of it vertically. The electric actuator may be a motor which is connected by means of mechanical transmission means to direct the movement to the rolling surface. Alternatively a linear electric actuator or solenoid may be used.

According to an embodiment, the conveyor for trans- porting the paper rolls or reels is a continuous transport chain provided with several lamellas on its upper surface facing towards the paper rolls. The lamella conveyor is sometimes called also as a slat conveyor. The lamellas or slats provided on the conveyor chain may be bent and may therefore have shape of a letter V. This kind of V-slat chain conveyor holds the paper rolls well in place during the transportation.

> According to an embodiment, the solution relates to Oo a method of loading paper rolls on a conveyor. The method N comprises stopping the conveyor for the duration of the ? loading. Thus the conveyor is not continuously running con- N 30 veyor. The method further comprises rolling a paper roll, E which is lying on belly, freely under influence of the o gravity along a sloping rolling surface towards the trans- N verse conveyor at a receiving station. Thus, the rolling 2 surface is without any moving elements. The rolled paper N 35 roll is received on the conveyor which carries it in astanding state along a transport track in transport direc- tion of the conveyor.

The paper roll is removed from the conveyor at a desired target station by means of suitable apparatuses.

In order to prevent the handled paper rolls to be damaged, the method further comprises lowering the roll- ing surface either entirely or part of it after the paper roll has been successively loaded on the conveyor and before the transport on the conveyor begins.

This way at least a portion of the rolling surface closest to the conveyor is moved from an elevated feed position to a lowered transport position thus preventing the paper roll supported on the conveyor to be in physical contact with the rolling surface.

Then the paper rolls on the conveyor cannot be rubbed against the rolling surface, which is moved to its retracted position.

By implementing the present solution the rubbing problem can be solved and handling and transporting of even larger dimensioned paper rolls is possible.

Upper limit for the roll diameter is no longer set by the structure of the receiving station.

According to an embodiment, the solution comprises providing vertically movable elongated elements on both sides of the conveyor at the receiving station.

Then a first elongated element serves as a part of the sloping rolling surface and a second elongated element opposite to the rolling surface serves as a roll stopper element when > being in the elevated position.

The purpose of the roll > stopper element is to prevent the rolling paper roll to pass 6 over the conveyor.

The solution may also comprise control- ? ling the actuation of the mentioned first and second ele- N 30 ments simultaneously.

E According to an embodiment, the above disclosed ver- o tically movable elements on both sides of the conveyor may N have similar structure and may be symmetrically arranged. 2 Alternatively, the rolling element and the stopping element N 35 may have different dimensioning.

According to an embodiment, the receiving station is without any vertically moving stopping element on the opposite side of the conveyor. Instead, the receiving sta- tion may be provided with a separate stopping arm or lever.

A further alternative is to arrange separate movable stop- ping rolls or wedges on the floor level.

According to an embodiment, the receiving station may be symmetrically configured and allows thereby feeding of paper rolls in two transverse directions on the conveyor.

In this embodiment the receiving station comprises sloping rolling surfaces on both sides of the conveyor. The sloping surfaces are both in accordance with the solutions disclosed in this document and are thereby at partly vertically mov- able.

According to an embodiment, the method discloses retrofitting a lifting system in connection with the exist- ing receiving station and lamella chain conveyor. Then the existing system may be updated for large dimensioned paper rolls, and also for soft paper rolls in connection which occurs flattening phenomenon. The retrofitting is relative easy and quick to execute and no modifications to the pre- sent conveyor are necessarily needed.

Let it be mentioned that in this document "the standing roll” means a roll lying on its side. In other words, the roll is standing or lying on its cylindrical side > surface. Sometimes the side surface is also called a belly Oo and then the roll is lying on its belly. When the roll is N in this position, it can be moved by rolling.

P The above disclosed embodiments may be combined in N 30 order to form suitable solutions having those of the above E features that are needed.

o N Brief description of the figures 3 Some embodiments are described in more detail in i the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a receiving station seen in longitudinal direction of a conveyor and illustrat- ing paper rolls with different diameters,

Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a portion of apaper roll handling system of a paper mill,

Figure 3 is a schematic top view of a chain conveyor provided with lamellas or slats,

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a receiving station comprising an inclined rolling surface, which is a verti-

cally movable piece,

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a receiving station comprising a tiltable rolling surface,

Figure 6 is a schematic view of a receiving station comprising a sloping rolling surface with a fixed firstportion and a vertically movable second portion,

Figure 7 is a schematic view of a receiving station comprising a sloping rolling surface with a fixed first portion and a tiltable second portion,

Figure 8 is a schematic view of a receiving stationcomprising vertically movable elements on both sizes of the conveyor,

Figure 9 is a schematic view of a receiving station comprising elongated and vertically movable rolling surface elements on both sides of the conveyor and being providedwith bellows, > Figure 10 is a schematic view of a receiving station S comprising elongated and vertically movable rolling surface 6 elements on both sides of the conveyor and wherein the ? lifting system comprises horizontally movable rollers, N 30 Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a lifting E system of Figure 10 in a lower conveyance position, and o Figure 1? is a schematic side view of a lifting N system of Figure 10 in an elevated loading position. 2 For the sake of clarity, the figures show some em- N 35 bodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner.

In the figures, like reference numerals identify like ele- ments.

Detailed description of some embodiments Figure 1 shows a principle of a receiving station 1 comprising a conveyor 2 and rolling surface 3 transversally to the conveyor.

Paper rolls 4 are conveyed on the conveyor 2 in a standing position so that their sides are towards the conveyor 2. The rolling surface 3 is inclined towards the transverse conveyor 2 and allows thereby the paper rolls to freely roll towards the conveyor 2. As can be noted dimensions D of the paper rolls 4 may vary.

When a paper roll 4a with large dimension D1 is positioned on the con- veyor 2, its side surfaces may become in contact with the rolling surface 3 and may damage during the transport.

The problem is emphasized in soft paper rolls, which may flatten at their lower part due their own mass.

The flattening phenomenon is illustrated roughly by means of a broken line 5 in Figure 1. Figure 2 discloses part of a paper roll handling system 6 of a paper mill.

The system may comprise several receiving stations 1 for loading the paper rolls 4 on the conveyor 2 and one or more target stations 7 for unloading the paper rolls 4 from the conveyor 2. The conveyor 2 is running continuously but it is stopped for the duration of the loading and unloading.

The conveyor 2 forms a transverse = track provided with transport direction A.

N The rolling surfaces 3 of the receiving stations 1 S may comprise portions 3b adjacent the conveyor 2 which may a be lifted and lowered.

On the opposite side of the conveyor E 30 2 may be vertically movable stopping elements 18. The por- > tions 3b and the elements 18 may operate simultaneously.

N Operation of the system 6 may be controlled under D control of a control unit CU.

NN Figure 3 discloses part of a chain conveyor 2 com- prising at least two chains 10a, 10b and several transverselamellas 11 between the chains. Upper surfaces of the la- mellas 11 are against the paper rolls being transferred. The lamellas 11 may have bendings 12 at their middle so that the lamellas 11 have a shape of a letter V. The lamellas 11 may also be called as slats and the entire conveyor may then be known as a V-slat conveyor. Length of the lamellas 11 i.e. width of the conveyor 2 is typically relatively small, and therefore the above disclosed problem relating to rub- bing of the paper rolls against the rolling surface adjacent the conveyor is emphasized when the slat conveyors are im- plemented.

Figure 4 discloses a receiving station 1 wherein the entire slanted rolling surface 3 is moved vertically by means of one or more actuators 13. The actuators 13 may be hydraulic cylinders or alternatively expanding elements such as bellows 14 may be implemented. When the rolling surface is in its elevated position, the paper roll 4 may roll on it towards the conveyor 2. On the opposite side of the conveyor 2 may be a stopping device 15 for ensuring that the paper roll 4 is placed on the conveyor in a controlled manner.

Figure 5 discloses a receiving station 1 wherein the rolling surface 3 is connected by means of a joint 16 to a floor structure 17. Then the rolling surface 3 may turned relative to the joint 16 by means of an actuator.

o The actuator may be an electrically or pressure medium op- O erated turning motor or linear actuator. The rolling surface N 3 may be turned between its upper rolling position and lower P transport position.

N 30 Figure 6 discloses a receiving station 1 wherein E the rolling surface 3 comprises two successive parts 3a and o 3b. A fixed first rolling surface 3a may be part of the N floor structure 17 and may be made of concrete. A second 2 rolling surface 3b may be moved vertically between a rolling N 35 and transport position.

Figure 7 discloses a receiving station 1 which dif- fers from the one shown in Figure 6 only in that the second rolling surface 3b is connected to the fixed rolling surface part 3a by means of a joint 16. The second part 3b may then be tilted relative to the joint 16.

Figure 8 discloses a receiving station 1 which cor- responds to the one shown in Figure 6. However, the solution comprises two vertically movable surfaces 3b and 18 arranged on opposite sides of the conveyor 2. The surface 18 may have a substantially similar structure and operation as the sec- ond rolling surface 3b. The surface 18 may stabilize the paper roll during the loading and may be lowered before the conveyor 2 starts moving.

Figure 8 further discloses by means of broken lines that it may be possible to implement the solution of Figure 8 for feeding paper rolls in two transverse directions.

Figure 9 discloses basic structure of a receiving station 1 provided with vertically movable surfaces 3b and 18 of both sides of the conveyor 2. The surfaces 3b and 18 may have a cross sectional profile that corresponds sub- stantially an inverted letter U. Under the mentioned U- profiles may be arranged bellows 19 which may expand when pressurized fluid is fed inside them. The expansion causes the U-profiles to move vertically relative to the conveyor 2 and a fixed rolling surface part 3a.

> Figure 10 discloses a basic structure of a receiving O station wherein the vertically movable surfaces 3b and 18 N are supported on rollers 20. The rollers 20 are movable ? linearly in horizontal direction as it is shown in Figures N 30 11 and 12. The rollers 20 are supported against wedge sur- E faces 21 and the linear movement of the rollers 20 is con- o figured to force the surfaces 3b and 18 to move vertically. N At the ends of the wedge surfaces 21 may be horizontal 2 portions 21a, 21b which correspond to upper and lower po- N 35 sitions of the surfaces 3b and 18. The rollers 20 may be moved by means of one or more linear actuators 22, such ascylinders. An advantage of this solution is that external power is needed only when the rollers 20 are moved along the wedge shaped surface. When the rollers 20 are against the horizontal portions 21a, 21b, the vertical forces are transmitted through them vertically and no linear force components occur.

Let it be mentioned that the solution disclosed in Figure 10 may allow feeding of paper rolls not only from the left side but also from the right side. In other words, the receiving station may have two feeding directions.

The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

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Claims

1. A receiving station (1) of a paper roll conveyor; wherein the receiving station (1) comprises: a conveyor (2) capable of carrying standing paper rolls (4) on it and forming a transport track provided with transport direction (A); a transverse rolling surface (3) on a side of the conveyor (2) sloping towards the transport track and allow- ing the standing paper rolls (4) to roll on the rolling surface (3) towards the transport track; and wherein the mentioned rolling surface (3) is at least partly movable in vertical direction so that at least a first end of the rolling surface (3) closest to the con- veyor (2) is movable to an elevated feed position and to a lowered transport position; characterized in that the rolling surface (3) is tiltable for elevating and lowering the first end of the rolling surface (3).

2. The receiving station as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the rolling surface (3) comprises at least two roll- ing surface components, namely a first rolling surface (3a) and a second rolling surface (3b) arranged successively in > their longitudinal direction; D the first rolling surface (3a) is located distally A to the conveyor and is a fixed structure; <Q the second rolling surface (3b) is located between 2 30 the first rolling surface (3a) and the conveyor (3b) and is E movable vertically at least partly. o N 3. The receiving station as claimed in claim 2, 2 characterized in that

Nthe second rolling surface (3b) is tiltable so that the first end closest to the conveyor (2) is movable ver- tically.

4. The receiving station as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the second rolling surface (3b) is hinged to the fixed first rolling surface (3a), whereby the second rolling surface (3b) may be tilted relative to a hinged end of the second rolling surface (3b) allowing thereby the first end of the second rolling surface (3b) to move vertically rel- ative to the conveyor (2) and to be positioned to the ele- vated feed position and to a lowered transport position.

5. The receiving station as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 2 - 4, characterized in that the fixed first rolling surface (3a) is part of a floor structure (17) and is made of concrete.

6. The receiving station as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 2 - 5, characterized in that the movable second rolling surface (3b) is made of steel plate material and is provided with at least one longitudinal bent portion at its longitudinal edge closest to the conveyor (2). o D

7. The receiving station as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterized in that <Q the receiving station (1) comprises at least one 2 30 actuator (22) for generating linear movement; E the actuator (22) is connected to a transmission o mechanism comprising at least two support rollers (20) ar- N ranged to be moved along wedge shaped linear transfer paths 2 (21) underneath a bottom surface of the rolling surface (3, N 35 3b); andthe linear movement of actuator (22) and the trans- mission mechanism is configured to move the rolling surface (3, 3b) at least partly.

8. The receiving station as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the receiving station (1) comprises at least one pressure medium operated bellows (19) for generating the vertical movement for the rolling surface (3, 3b).

9. The receiving station as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the conveyor (2) is a continuous transport chain (10a, 10b) provided with several lamellas (11) on its upper surface facing towards the paper rolls (4).

10. A method of loading paper rolls (4) on a con- veyor (2), wherein the method comprises: stopping the conveyor (2) for the duration of the loading; rolling a standing paper roll (4) freely under in- fluence of the gravity along a sloping rolling surface (3) towards the transverse conveyor (2) at a receiving station (1); and receiving the rolled paper roll (4) on the conveyor > (2) and carrying it in a standing state along a transport D track in transport direction (A) of the conveyor (2); A characterized by ? lowering the rolling surface (3) at least partly - 30 after the paper roll (4) has been loaded on the conveyor E (2) and before the transport on the conveyor (2) begins, o whereby at least a portion of the rolling surface (3) clos- N est to the conveyor (2) is moved from an elevated feed 2 position to a lowered transport position. N 35

11. The method of claim 10, characterized byproviding vertically movable elongated elements (3b, 18) on both sides of the conveyor (2) at the receiving station, whereby a first elongated element serves as a part of the sloping rolling surface (3b) and a second elongated element opposite to the rolling surface serves as a roll stopper element (18) when being in the elevated position.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, character- ized by retrofitting a lifting system in connection with the existing receiving station (1) and lamella chain con- veyor (2). o

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