FR3084658A1 - PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING A FULL COIL AND ITS DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for extracting a reel (1) of full film from a shrinkwrapper (2), in which said reel (1) is mounted on a mandrel (5) of a reel (4) fitted to a film supply station (3) for said shrinkwrapper (2); said coil (1) is extracted by sliding along said mandrel (5); characterized by the fact that it comprises at least the following step of actuating said extraction by lateral thrust at least with the aid of a pusher (6) movable in a movement parallel to the axis of the mandrel (5). The invention also relates to the device for implementing such an extraction method.

Description

Title: Process for extracting a full coil and its device

The present invention falls within the field of packaging of products by bundling and relates more particularly to the extraction of a full film reel from a film supply station of the shrinkwrapper.

It will be noted that a reel comprises a central, hollow axis, in the form of a cardboard or plastic tube, around which a film is wound in successive turns.

In known manner, the film supply of a machine of the shrinkwrapping type is carried out from a feeding station, often positioned under said machine. Such a station comprises at least one reel intended to receive a reel of film. To do this, the reel is equipped with a mandrel, freely or driven, and on which a reel can be threaded in order to unwind the film towards the shrinkwrapper. More specifically, the insertion is carried out by sliding the coil along the mandrel. Generally, once a reel positioned around the mandrel, the latter is inflated to lock it, preventing any relative movement of the reel relative to the latter and thus guaranteeing the correct positioning of the film within the shrinkwrapper.

Before or during production, a new coil must be loaded onto a mandrel of a feeder reel. Because of the consequent mass of a film reel, of the order of 80 to 120 kilograms (kg), its loading requires the use of a handling means, such as for example a reel-carrying carriage.

Such a carriage in principle comprises a rolling chassis equipped with a lifting means and with a means for receiving a reel. This receiving means can be in particular in the form of a simple mandrel on which said coil can be threaded, or else in the form of a cradle receiving said coil above. Through the lifting means, the receiving means is positioned opposite the mandrel of the reel of the feed station, in order to load the reel, then pushed by an operator from the opposite side to the chuck, namely generally from the side of the machine.

Another handling means can be constituted by a coil gripping head. This head is mounted at the end of a multi-axis robotic arm, supported by a fixed structure. Such a system offers motorized assistance of the zero gravity type, allowing the operator to easily move the coil.

Once a reel is fully used and empty (or partially empty), it must be taken out of the machine, i.e. extracted from its reel in order to replace it with a new one. The operator must then intervene at the mandrel, to manually slide the reel outwards, that is to say towards the pipe side of the shrinkwrapper. In this case, the weight of such an empty reel, even if it still has a few turns of film, remains negligible and causes only little difficulty.

Such an extraction intervention becomes problematic when the coil to be extracted is not entirely empty, namely that it is a full or partially unwound coil. As mentioned above, its large mass makes it tedious and exhausting to extract it manually. Indeed, the operator can only intervene with difficulty by leaning over and pulling the spool towards him. It then takes an uncomfortable and physically unsuitable position for extracting the coil by sliding it towards the extraction side, until it is supported by the handling means. In addition, the risks are then increased, due to the mass of several tens of kilograms to be moved manually to an unsuitable position.

Consequently, within the meaning of the present invention, the term “full” characterizing the quantity of film present or remaining on a reel, is understood from the moment when the weight of said reel requires a means of handling or that it can be difficult to handle by an operator.

It will be noted that such extraction from a so-called "full" coil within the meaning of the invention can be envisaged, in a non-exhaustive manner, during a change in production, in particular of the format and / or of the type of products to be treated. . For example, such a change is required when the coating must be carried out with a different film, because of its width, its thickness or even of an impression which may appear thereon. This reel change can also result from a malfunction of the supply station or one of its reels, or if a reel has a fault and it is necessary to replace it.

The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing assisted extraction of a full film reel from a shrinkwrapper.

In particular, the invention provides a member, such as a pusher, capable of operating a lateral thrust, from one side of the full reel to the opposite side provided for the insertion / extraction of said reel, namely generally the side where the human-machine interface (HMI) is located. Said lateral thrust takes place, according to a displacement of said plunger parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel which supports the reel within the reel of the feed station.

Thus, the invention relates to a method of extracting a full film reel from a shrinkwrapper, in which:

- Said coil is mounted on a mandrel of a reel equipping a film supply station of said shrinkwrapper;

- We proceed to the extraction of said coil by sliding along said mandrel.

Such an extraction process is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least the following stage:

- Activate said extraction by lateral thrust at least using a movable plunger in a movement parallel to the axis of the mandrel.

According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, said pusher can be moved along at least one slide extending parallel to said axis of the mandrel.

The at least one slide can extend above said mandrel.

The movement of said pusher can be motorized.

One can position a handling means vis-à-vis said mandrel at the time of extraction by said lateral thrust.

The extraction of said coil can be finalized manually or through said handling means.

The invention also relates to a device for implementing said extraction method, comprising at least one reel equipped with a mandrel supporting a coil. Such a device is characterized in that it further comprises at least:

- a pusher mounted mobile according to a movement parallel to the axis of the mandrel; and

a means for actuating said movement of said pusher, from an initial position towards a position for extracting said coil from the support mandrel.

The invention then offers assistance in extracting a full reel, by offering the operator a pusher actuated manually or by means of a motorization, in order to ensure lateral thrust along the mandrel and the extraction of such a full coil, at least partially, out of the machine.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows of nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures in which:

- Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a specific embodiment, showing a reel receiving a full reel, shown in transparency, and equipped with a pusher intended to ensure the thrust for extraction to the right of said full reel; and

- Figure 2 schematically shows a view in a vertical section upon actuation of said pusher performing the lateral thrust of the full reel, which then moves along said mandrel which supports it.

The present invention relates to the extraction of a full film reel 1 from a shrinkwrapper 2.

Such a coil 1 consists of a central tube 100, around which are wound turns 101 of said film, as shown in the vertical section in FIG. 2. Such a tube 100 is in principle hollow and generally made of plastic or cardboard material .

In order to carry out the extraction, the reel 1 is introduced beforehand into the shrinkwrapper 2. In particular, a shrinkwrapper 2 comprises a film supply station 3, generally placed below, so as to convey the film under the surface where products circulate.

Other configurations of the feeding station 3 can be envisaged, in particular by positioning the reel 1 at the front but also laterally with respect to the shrinkwrapper 2, the feeding of said film then being carried out by suitable angular references.

The feeding station 3 is provided with at least one reel 4, preferably two juxtaposed. A reel 4 comprises a mandrel 5, generally of generally cylindrical shape. This mandrel 5 has a free end 50 so as to allow the insertion and extraction of said coil 1, in a sliding movement of the coil 1 along the axis of the mandrel 5. This free end 50 may have a frustoconical shape, widening towards the opposite end 51, in order to facilitate the insertion of the coil 1. Said opposite end 51 of the mandrel 5 is connected to the chassis of the reel 4, or even to the structure of the supply station 3 or well of the shrink wrapper 2. Once in place, said mandrel 5 ensures the rotation, free or preferably motorized by suitable means, of the coil 1.

Thus, said reel 1 is mounted on a mandrel 5 of a reel 4 fitted to a station 3 for supplying film to said shrinkwrapper 2.

During operation, the reel 1 is unwound, supplying the shrinkwrapper 2 with film through an injection station, cutting said film into sheets sent successively to a conveyor transporting products. These are grouped in matrix form, generally of several columns and rows, for example in the form of three rows and two columns constituting a group of six products. As they move, the product groups are individually wrapped in a sheet of film, before passing through an oven. The film then shrinks around the product groups so as to form, after cooling, self-supporting bundles, which are easier to handle.

In addition, depending on the production rates of the products to be treated by the shrinkwrapper 2, the feeding station 3 can be equipped with only one, but preferably with two reels 4 in order to ensure the continuous feeding of the film, in particular by means of a station dedicated to the junction of a film of a reel 4 whose reel is almost empty, with the film of another reel 4 whose reel 1 is new, therefore full. Apart from this operation of joining the films of two reels, only one of them is unwound at a given moment, while the other is on standby, until the moment when it replaces the supply of the first coil become empty, or during a production change where the two coils 1 must be extracted, often but not necessarily full both.

As mentioned above, the extraction of an empty coil presents no real constraint and can be carried out manually by an operator. It is otherwise when a full reel 1, with a consequent mass, has to be taken out of its reel 4. We then proceed to extract said reel 1 by sliding along said mandrel 5.

Advantageously, the invention plans to offer assistance to the operator when extracting a full coil 1.

To do this, said extraction is actuated by lateral thrust using a movable pusher 6 according to a movement parallel to the mandrel 5.

In other words, the thrust is effected in translation from the opposite end 51 towards the free end 50 of the mandrel 5. The direction of movement is parallel or substantially parallel to the median axis passing through the mandrel 5. In in sum, it is an axial displacement, that is to say parallel to the axis of rotation of the coil.

According to one embodiment, the pusher 6 is moved along at least one slide 7 extending parallel to said mandrel 5. Such a slide 7 serves as a guide along which the pusher 6 moves.

Preferably, according to an embodiment shown in the figures, the at least one slide 7 extends above said mandrel 5. This slide can be mounted on the chassis 8 of the feed station 3 or of the shrink wrapper 2.

According to other embodiments, not shown, said slide 7 can be fixed in another position relative to the periphery of the coil 1, lower or sideways.

It will be noted that the distance between the slide 7 and the mandrel 5 is sufficient to receive a coil 1, without its periphery coming into contact with said slide 7.

Additionally, an actuation means 9 can ensure the displacement of said pusher 6, in particular along this slide 7. Such an actuation means 9 controls the movement of pusher 6 from an initial position to an extraction position of said coil 1 outside the mandrel 5 which supports it. Conversely, said actuating means 9 allows the pusher 6 to return to the initial position.

In particular, the extraction stroke of the pusher 6 can be provided so as to completely displace the coil 1 until it leaves the mandrel 5: said coil 1 is then no longer supported by the mandrel 5.

In another case, the stroke of the pusher 6 displaces the coil 1 over a part of the length of said mandrel 5, in particular over a length not exceeding half or two thirds of said coil 1, in order to retain it and prevent it from coming out and falling. This stroke can be configurable, in particular as a function of the length of the coil 1 to be moved.

In a more specific case, for operator safety reasons, access to the interior of the shrink wrapper 2 and of the moving components is prevented. To do this, a removable casing prevents access to the reel 4 and / or to the reel 1, or even one or more access doors are locked in closing, as long as the actuating means 9 is in operation. Extraction by the pusher 6 is then carried out according to a limited stroke, until the coil 1 is moved near said casing or said doors. Once the actuating means 9 stopped, the operator then finalizes the extraction of the full reel 1 itself or by means of a handling means, after unlocking and opening the casing or doors. In other words, in this specific case, it is only at the start of the extraction of the coil 1 that the displacement by lateral thrust occurs by means of the pusher 6. The operator can finalize the extraction itself insofar as the coil is already partially extracted, it does not need to put itself in an uncomfortable position to place the coil on a handling means.

According to one configuration, the actuating means 9 can be provided manual, in particular in the form of a crank actuatable by the operator, for example located on the driving side.

According to a preferred configuration, such an actuating means 9 can be provided motorized. Such a motorization can then be controlled by the operator from the driving side, by means of the centralized control station of the shrink wrapper 2, or even by means of a remote control, located at said feed station.

3. For example, the operator can control the movement of the pusher by pressing a button provided for this purpose. In addition, the motorization can be constituted by a linear motor, ensuring the setting in motion of a carriage 10, supporting said pusher 6 and then mobile along said slide 7.

The actuating means 9 can be constituted by a jack, of any type, in particular electric or pneumatic, or even in the form of a jack with a linear motor. This jack ensures the transverse thrust of the reel 1 along the mandrel 5. Either such a jack can be located on the opposite side of the pipe and extracts the reel 1 during its deployment, or it is positioned parallel to the mandrel 5 and at the periphery of the coil 1 and carries out the thrust during its folding back or its deployment. In addition, if a jack is positioned beyond the mandrel, on the opposite pipe side, it can then be located closer to the mandrel 5, at a distance less than the diameter of a new coil 1.

In the case of a motorization of the actuating means 9, the invention can provide for partially automating its implementation, namely that the actuation is triggered only for a coil 1 having a determined size, and therefore a mass, adapted to operate said thrust. To do this, at least one sensor can measure one or more characteristics of the coil 1, such as its weight or its circumference or its diameter. From this measurement, it is only when a threshold is exceeded that the control system authorizes the use of the motorization to extract the coil 1. Conversely, if the coil 1 is detected as empty or with too little film remaining, the motorization is not activated, leaving it to the operator to extract the empty reel manually, without constraint due to its low weight. This detection makes it possible to avoid a sudden ejection of an empty or too light coil, see a scraping of the pusher 6 against its peripheral surface.

Furthermore, the transverse thrust is effected by pressing said plunger 6 against the face 102 of the coil 1 situated on the side of the opposite end 51 of said mandrel 1, generally on the opposite side of the pipe. In short, the pusher 6 comes at least against the edges of the turns 101 wound from the coil 1. Said pusher 6 can also come to bear against the edge of the tube 100, as visible in FIG. 2.

According to a particular embodiment, as visible in FIG. 1, the pusher 6 can be constituted by a plate 60. One of the faces of this plate comes against a face of the coil 1, in particular in order to distribute over the turns 101 from the coil the pushing force to be exerted. Such a plate can have any shape, preferably triangular, pointing towards the mandrel 5.

According to a preferred configuration of said pusher 6, in the form of a plate 60, the end 61 located near said mandrel 5 is shaped concave, so as to be positioned around a part of the periphery of the mandrel 5, ensuring better distribution of the support against the coil 1 along this angular arc.

Additionally, the invention provides for positioning a handling means vis-à-vis said mandrel 5 at the time of extraction, before or during said lateral thrust. In other words, depending on the handling means, it is checked that it is positioned so as to receive the extracted coil 1. Such positioning control can take place before or during extraction, namely before applying the displacement of the pusher 6 or when the thrust is carried out or already effective (ie before or after the start of said transverse thrust ). In the event of non-positioning of the handling means, a safety device can be provided to prevent the actuation of the pusher 6 or else stop it during its movement, in order to prevent the coil 1 during extraction from falling.

As mentioned above, the handling means can be a spool holder carriage, equipped with a mandrel which is then aligned with the axis of the mandrel 5 of the reel 4 or else equipped with a cradle which is raised below the lower level of coil 1 extracted. The handling means can also be an articulated, robotic arm, the free end of which has a gripping head, in particular in the form of a mandrel, which is then aligned by the operator with the axis of the mandrel 5.

As mentioned above, according to a specific embodiment, said handling means can allow the operator to finalize the extraction of the coil 1, once the pushing of the pusher is finished, especially when this movement is carried out by means of a motorized actuation, as by a jack. The extraction of the coil 1 from the mandrel 5 can therefore be carried out by a first pushing step by transverse displacement of said coil 1 using the pusher 6, followed by a step controlled by the operator, manually or through the handling means.

Thus, the method and the device for extracting a reel 1 of full film offers assistance during this operation, carried out more easily and without physical constraint for an operator.

Claims (7)

1. Method for extracting a reel (1) of full film from a shrinkwrapper (2), in which : - said coil (D East mounted on a mandrel (5) of reel (4) fitted a post supply (3) movie of said shrinkwrapper (2) f - The said coil (1) is extracted by sliding along the said mandrel (5); characterized by the fact that it comprises at least the following step: - Activate said extraction by lateral thrust at least using a pusher (6) movable in a movement parallel to the axis of the mandrel (5). 2. Extraction method according to claim 1, characterized in that said pusher (6) is moved along at least one slide (7) extending parallel to said axis of the mandrel (5). 3. Extraction method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one slide (7) extends above said mandrel (5). 4. Extraction method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of said pusher (6) is motorized. 5. Extraction method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a handling means is positioned opposite said mandrel (5) at the time of extraction by said lateral thrust. 6. Extraction method according to claim 5, characterized in that finalizes the extraction of said coil (1) manually or through said handling means. 7. Device for implementing the extraction method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one reel (4) equipped with a mandrel (5) supporting a reel (1); characterized in that it further comprises at least: - a pusher (6) mounted mobile according to a movement 5 parallel to the axis of the mandrel (5); and - A means for actuating said movement of said pusher (6), from an initial position to a position for extracting said coil (6) from the support mandrel (5).