GB2073719A - Roll tail sealing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The loose tail end (31) of a wound sheet roll is partially unwound by blowers (14) during rotation of the roll in the rewinding direction by supporting rollers. The unwound loose tail end settles on a delivery table (2) for the application of glue to secure the tail end. A first sensor detects the unwinding of the tail end off the roll and activates a normally deactivated second sensor which turns off the rollers when the tail end reaches a predetermined location on the delivery table. Adhesive is next applied to the stationary tail end by a glue gun (15) which is movably mounted on a pneumatically controlled carriage assembly. The glued tail end is thereafter rewound upon the roll, and the roll is subsequently ejected from the machine. A third sensor detects the initial presence of the roll upon the rollers and will initiate ejection of the roll after a predetermined time period elapses, regardless of operation of the glue gun. <IMAGE>

Description

1

SPECIFICATION Roll tail sealing machine

The invention generally relates to roll product finishing machines and, more particularly, to machines which handle a roll of sheet-like material having a loose tail end so that the loose tail end may be glued upon the body of the roll.

According to the invention, there is provided a machine for handling a roll of wound sheet-like material having a loose tail end, the machine including means for rotating the roll in a direction tending to wind the loose tail end upon the roll, means for unwinding the loose tail end off the roll during rotation, a delivery table upon which the loose tail end settles after being unwound, gluing means for applying glue to the loose tail end situation on the delivery table, means for ejecting the roll off the roll rotation means, roll sensor means for detecting the presence of the roll on the roll rotation means, primary ejection circuit means for operating the roll ejection means subsequent to the operation of said gluing means, and secondary ejection circuit means for operating the roll ejection means independently of said primary ejection circuit means at a predetermined time after the detection by said roll sensor means of the presence of the roll on the roll rotation means.

The following is a more detailed description of some embodiments of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partially broken away, showing a machine for handling a roll of wound sheet-like material having a loose tail end; 35 Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one embodiment 100 of a movable glue gun carriage which is incorporated in the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of an alternative embodiment of a movable glue gun carriage suitable for use with the machine shown in Fig. 1; 105 Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the glue gun carriage of Fig. 3 taken generally along line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of an alternative embodiment of the operative interface between a 110 pneumatic hose and pinch rollers which may be incorporated in the glue gun carriage shown in either Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 6 is a schematic electrical diagram of a control circuit applicable for use with the machine 115 shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is an alternative embodiment of an electrical control circuit involved in the tail positioning stage of the machine shown in Fig. 1; 55 Fig. 8 is an enlarged and partially broken away 120 side view of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the components of a pneumatic control circuit involved in powering the glue gun carriage shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or in 125 Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the pressurized air supply system associated with the control circuit shown in Figs. 6 and 9; and GB 2 073 719 A 1 Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top view of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 8.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the machine 32 is operative to receive a roll 30 of wound sheet-like material having a loose tail end 31 and sequentially to glue the loose tail end 31 upon the body of the roll 30 and then eject the roll 30. While the device 32 is broadly applicable for use with rolled cloth, plastics and metal products, the device 32 finds wide application in connection with the finishing of rolled paper products, such as cants of toilet tissue, and will hereafter be discussed in that environment.

Structurally, the machine 32 includes a support frame 1 having a feed table 2 and a delivery table 12. Roller means 34 is mounted on the support frame 1 between the feed table 2 and delivery table 12 for rotating the paper product roll 30 or cant about its longitudinal axis in a direction tending to wind the loose tail end 31 onto the cant 30.

While various constructions are possible, in the illustrated embodiment isee Fig. 1), a first drive roller 3 is rotatably attached or journaled to the support frame 1. A roller drive motor 4 drives the first roller 3 by means of a suitable chain or belt transmission 5. A second drive roller 6 is located parallel to the first roller 3 intermediate the first roller 3 and the feed table 2. The second roller 6 is rotatably attached or journaled between a pair of support arms 7 which are attached to a shaft 8 which is itself rotatably journaled to the support frame 1. The second roller 6 is operatively connected with the motor 4 by a chain or belt transmission 10 which includes a chain sprocket 36 rotatable about the shaft 8 and an additional belt 11 extending between the shaft 8 and second roller 6. Operation of the motor 4 thus commonly drives the first roller 3 and the second roller 6 in a counterclockwise direction, and a cant 30 located on the rollers 3 and 6 is thereby rotated in the clockwise, or "rewinding", direction (as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1).

Blower means 14 is provided for unwinding the loose tail end 31 off the cant 30 during rotation of the cant 30 on the rollers 3 and 6. As is shown in Fig. 1, one or more blowing nozzles 14 are spaced longitudinally along the feed table 2. Referring now to Fig. 10, pressurized air is delivered to the blowing nozzles 14 from an external source (as is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10) through an air supply conduit 42 and a normally closed air valve 44. The air valve 44 is movable to an open position by means of a solenoid 46 or the like to direct pressurized air from the source to the blowing nozzles 14.

When pressurized air is directed out of the blowing nozzles 14 during rotation of the cant 30, the loose tail end 31 is lifted off the cant 30 by the pressurized air flow (as is shown in phantom lines in Fig. 1). The tail end 31 is consequently unwound off the body of the cant 30 and will eventually settle back upon the delivery table 12 (as shown in phantom lines in Fig. 8).

Continued rotation of the rollers 3 and 6 will 2 cause the tall end 31 which is situated on the delivery table 12 to be rewound again upon the cant 30 (see Fig. 8). However, in order that a glue seam may be properly applied upon the tall end 31, rotation of the rollers 3 and 6 is stopped when 70 the tail end 31 reaches a desired location on the delivery table 12, and gluing means 40 is provided for depositing glue upon the now stationary tail end 3 1. In the illustrated embodiment the gluing means 40 includes a glue gun 15 which is mounted on movable carriage. means 48 for travel over the delivery table 12.

The glue gun 15 (see Fig. 10) communicates with the pressurized air supply conduit 42 through a normally closed air valve 50 which, like valve 44, is selectively movable to an open position by means of a solenoid 52 or the like. The glue gun 15 also communicates with an external source of glue (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10) such that, when the valve 50 is in its open position, glue is pneumatically expelled from the gun 15 and applied upon the tail end 31. Depending upon the specific glue nozzles selected, the glue can be either sprayed or a glue seam extruded upon the tail end 3 1.

In the embodiment shown in tigs. 1 and 2, the carriage means 48 includes a parallel pair of beams 22 and 23 which is attached to the support frame 1 above the delivery table 12 and which extends parallel to the rotational axes of the first and second drive rollers 3 and 6. A carriage chassis 17 is movably attached to the beams 22 and 23 by means of two sets of freely rotatable rollers or runners, respectively, 18, 19 and 20, 21.

As can best be seen in Fig. 2, the rotational axes of each set of runners 18, 19 and 20, 21 are applied upon the tall end 31, rotation of the rollers 3 and 6 is stopped when the tail end 31 reaches a desired location on the delivery table 12, and gluing means 40 is provided for depositing glue upon the now stationary tail end 3 1. In the illustrated embodiment the gluing means 40 includes a glue gun 15 which is mounted on movable carriage means 48 for travel over the delivery table 12.

The glue gun 15 (see Fig. 10) communicates with the pressurized air supply conduit 42 through a normally closed air valve 50 which, like valve 44, is selectively movable to an open position by means of a solenoid 52 or the like. The glue gun 15 also communicates with an external source of 115 glue (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10) such that, when the valve 50 is in its open position, glue is pneumatically expelled from the gun 15 and applied upon the tail end 31. Depending upon the specific glue nozzles selected, the glue can be 120 either sprayed or a glue seam extruded upon the tail end 31.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the carriage means 48 includes a parallel pair of beams 22 and 23 which is attached to the support frame 1 above the delivery table 12 and which extends parallel to the rotational axes of the first and second drive rollers 3 and 6. A carriage chassis 17 is movably attached to the beams 22 and 23 by means of two sets of freely rotatable GB 2 073 719 A 2 rollers or runners, respectively, 18, 19 and 20, 21. As can best be seen in Fig. 2, the rotational axes of each set of runners 18, 19 and 20, 21 are portion. By virtue of this construction, when pressurized air is supplied through the inlet valve means 54 to one end of the airtight hose 24, the carriage chassis 17 wil I be accelerated away from that end by the expansion of the hose 24. At the same time, the rate at which the opposite or. unpressurized end of the hose 24 is vented through the vent means 56 with the atmosphere is regulated. By suddenly restricting the venting of this end with the atmosphere, backpressure is created, and the accelerated movement of the carriage chassis 17 toward that end can be quickly impeded. Thus, the movement of the carriage chassis 17 rapidly back and forth upon the beams 22 and 23 is effectively controlled.

An alternate structural embodiment of the carriage means 48 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, instead of using horizontally spaced beams 22 and 23, the carriage chassis 17 is movably mounted between vertically spaced upper support beam 62 and lower support beam 63, which includes an integrally attached guide bar 64. The hose 24 passes intermediate the upper beam 62 and lower guide bar 64, and, like the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a pair of rollers 25 and 26 pinches the hose 24. Acceleration and deceleration of the carriage chassis 17 along the upper and lower support beams 62 and 63 is pneumatically controlled as heretofore described.

In either embodiment, a core member 66 (see Fig. 5) may be located within the entire longitudinal length of the hose 24. The core member 66 includes upper and lower ends 68 and 70 between which the hose 24 is resiliently stretched. The core member 66 also includes symmetrical, inwardly bowed, or concave, sidewalls 72. Correspondingly, the outer contours of the pinch rollers 25 and 26 are outwardly bowed, or convex, and mate with the inwardly bowed sidewalls 72 to form the airtight "pinch" in the hose 24. The core member 66 may be of solid construction, such as plastic or aluminum. Alternatively, it may be resiliently constructed, such as a preformed sack filled with a compressible fluid or air.

The core member 66 minimizes the extent to which the hose 24 is deformed or pinched by the rollers 25 and 26. Also, since the operative interface between the pinch rollers 25 and 26 and the hose 24 is confined to the middle portion of the hose 24, the outer ends 68 and 70 of the hose 24, which extend outwardly beyond the "pinched" area, are not deformed or pinched. Thus, a relatively frictionless operative interface between the pinch rollers 25 and 26 and the hose 24 is provided, and deterioration of the hose 24 occasioned by its being deformed between the pinch rollers 25 and 26, particularly at the ends 68 and 70 of the hose 24, is greatly minimized.

After a seam of glue has been applied upon the tail end 31, rotation is again imparted to the first 3 and second drive rollers 3 and 6, thereby rewinding the now glued tail end 31 upon the cant 65 30, and means 9 is provided for ejecting the cant 30 from the device 32 after rewinding has 5 occurred.

While various constructions of the ejecting means 9 are possible, in the illustrated embodiment (see Fig. 1), the support arms 7 upon which the second drive roller 6 is journaled are operatively connected to one or more pneumatic setting cylinders 9. The setting cylinders 9 (see Fig. 10) communicate with the pressurized air supply conduit 42 through a normally closed valve 74 which, like the heretofore discussed blow nozzle and glue-gun valves, respectively, 44 and 50, is movable to an open position by means of a solenoid 76 or the like.

When the valve 74 is moved to its open position, the setting cylinders 9 are actuated and the support arms 7 are thereby rotated in a clockwise direction about the shaft 8 and out of the position shown in Fig. 1. As is apparent in Fig. 1, the second roller 6 will be pivoted relative to the first roller 3, and the cant 30 will be eventually pushed or ejected off both of the rollers 3 and 6 and onto the delivery table 12. Movement of the valve 74 back to its normally closed position 90 returns the setting cylinder 9 and thus the second roller 6 back to the positions shown in Fig. 1.

Operation The mechanical and pneumatic components of the device 32 as heretofore described are operated in response to an electrical control circuit (shown in Figs. 6 and 7) through three general functional stages.

The first operational stage, hereafter referred to as the Tail Positioning Stage, begins as the cant is delivered from a winding machine or the like (not shown) to the feed table 2 and rolls into position upon the first and second rollers 3 and 6.

The cant 30 is rotated and the blow nozzles 14 105 direct pressurized air so as to lift the loose tail end 31 off the cant 30 to settle back upon the delivery table 12. When the tail end 31 is properly situated on the delivery table 12, power to the motor 4 is interrupted and rotation of the cant 30 terminates. 110 At this time, the second operational stage, hereafter referred to as the Tail Gluing Stage, commences, and the carriage-mounted glue gun 15 is pneumatically sent across the delivery table 12, applying glue upon the now stationary tail 115 end 31.

The third operational stage, hereafter referred to as the Tail Rewinding and Cant Ejection Stage, closely follows, and rotation of the cant 30 recommences to wind the glued tail end 31 back upon the cant 30, after which the setting cylinders 9 are actuated to eject the cant 30 from the rollers 3 and 6.

A. The Tail Positioning Stage Reference is first made to lines 1 through 10 of Fig. 6 which illustrate one embodiment of the control circuit involved in properly positioning the GB 2 073 719 A 3 loose tail end 31 upon the delivery table 12 prior to the application of glue.

When the power-on button is pushed, master control relay MCR is energized, and electrical power is supplied to the entire control circuit. In particular, power is supplied to the roller drive motor 4 (see line 7 of Fig. 6) through the series combination of three normally closed contacts R3a, R5a, and R7a.

Power is also supplied to three sensor means 13a, 13b, and 13c (see also Fig. 1), which are in the form of photoelectric cells or the like. The photocells are of conventional construction (not shown), and include an internal light source which projects a beam of light from the unit and a photocell which detects the reflection of the light beam off a nearby object.

Photocell 13a comprises a single photocell unit, hereafter designated PC 1, which is located intermediate the two drive rollers 3 and 6 (see Figs. 1, 8 and 11) and which is thereby in position to detect the presence of the cant 30 upon the rollers 3 and 6. Photocell PC1 operates contact X6 (see line 2 of Fig. 6) such that, when photocell PC1 is uncovered (i.e. the beam of light is not being reflected off a nearby object), contact X6 is open, and, conversely, when PC 'I is covered (i.e. the light beam is being reflected off a nearby object) contact X6 is closed.

Photocell 13b also comprises a single photocell unit, hereafter designated PC4, which is located substantially perpendicularly above the drive rollers 3 and 6 (see Fig. 1) so that, as the tail end 31 is blown off the cant 30 and travels toward the delivery table 12, photocell PC4 is sequentially covered and uncovered. Photocell PC4 operates contact X4 (see line 4 of Fig. 6) such that, when photocell PC4 is uncovered, contact X4 is open, and, conversely, when photocell PC4 is covered, contact X4 is closed.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, photocell 13c comprises a single photocell unit, hereafter designated PC5, which is located slightly beneath the surface of the delivery table 12 (see also Fig. 8) and is thereby in position to detect the presence of the tail end 31 upon the delivery table 12. Photocell PC5 operates contact PC5 (see line 5 of Fig. 6). Unlike the normally open contacts X6 and X4 which are associated with, respectively, photocells PC1 and PC4, contact PC5 is normally located in a closed position. Contact PC5 is moved to the open position only when photocell PC5 is simultaneously placed in an activated condition and is covered by a nearby object.

The flow of power through the circuit shown in lines 1 through 10 of Fig. 6 can be traced by first assuming that the cant 30 has just arrived upon the drive rollers, as is shown in phantom lines in Fig. 1.

Photocell PC 1 is thus covered and contact X6 closed. This permits relay YO to be energized through now closed contact X6 and the normally closed contacts R '14 and R9a. When thus energized, relay YO closes contact YO. Solenoid 46 is also actuated by virtue of the same closed 4 GB 2 073 719 A 4 circuit.

As heretofore described and as is seen in Fig. 10, the actuation of solenoid 46 moves the valve 44 from its normally closed position to its open position to permit pressurized air to flow to the blow nozzles 14. The loose tail end 31 is consequently blown off the cant 30 shortly after the arrival of the cant 30 upon the rollers 3 and 6.

During the passage of the tail end 31 toward the delivery table 12, it will momentarily cover photocell PC4. Contact X4 is thus closed, and relay YP is energized through normally closed contact Rga and now closed contacts YO and X4. When relay YP is thus energized, contact YP is closed, which activates photocell PC5. By this time, the tail end 31 will have settled upon the delivery table 12.

Since photocell PC5 is now in an activated condition and is covered by the tail end 3 1, normally closed contact PC5 is moved open. The drive rollers 3 and 6 continue to rotate the cant 30 in the "rewinding- direction, and the tail end 31 is drawn across the delivery table 12 toward the cant 30. Eventually, the advancing tail end 31 will uncover photocell PC5, at which time contact PC5 returns to its normally closed position. Relay CR3 is thus energized through closed contacts YP and PC5.

When relay CR3 is thus energized, normally closed contact R3a is caused to open and normally open contact R3b is caused to close. Power to the motor 4 is interrupted by the opening of contact R3a (line 7 of Fig. 6), and rotation of the cant 30 by the drive rollers 3 and 6 ceases.

By virtue of the above described control circuit, and in particular, the circuit interconnecting photocell PC4 with PC5, any unintended interference with photocell PC5 by nearby objects prior to the arrival of the tail end 31 upon the delivery table 12 will not operate contact PC5, and thus ultimately terminate cant rotation, since photocell PC5 is normally in a deactivated condition and is placed in an activated condition in time to sense only the presence of the loose tail end 31 on the delivery table 12. Thus, the chance of unintentional or inadvertent operation of photocell PC5, and thus undesired cessation of cant rotation, is eliminated.

However, it is possible that arrival of the tail end 3 1 from the cant 30 to the delivery table 12 may be delayed, in which case the activation of photocell PC5 by relay YP can precede the arrival of.the loose tail end 31 on the delivery table 12.

When this occurs, the as yet normally closed contact PC5 and in series with closed contact YP, will energize relay CR3 and prematurely terminate power to the roller drive motor 4. As a result, cant rotation will be terminated, notwithstanding the fact that the loose tail end 31 is not in the desired position on the delivery table 12.

In order that photocell PC5 is not activated before the tail end 31 settles upon the delivery table 12, timer unit TD5 (shown in phantom lines in line 4 of Fig. 6) is placed in series with photocell1-30 PC4, such that relay YP is energized a predetermined time period after the passage of the tail end 31 past photocell PC4. The time delay thus interjected assures that photocell PC5 is not activated prior to the arrival of the tail end 31 upon the delivery table 12.

Fig. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the control circuit associated with the Tail Positioning Stage, and components which are common with the just described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, like the first described embodiment, photocell 13a comprises the single photocell unit PC1 which is located between the drive rollers 3 and 6. However, unlike the first described embodiment, photocell 13b is eliminated, and photocell 13c comprises two photocells PC2 and PC3 which are located slightly beneath the surface of the delivery table 12 at opposite ends of the delivery table 1 ' 2 (see Fig. 11) and are thereby in position to jointly detect the presence of the outer edges 31 a and 31 b of the tail end 31 upon the delivery table 12.

Each photocell PC2 and PC3 operates a pair of contacts (see line 4a of Fig. 7), which are, respectively, X7a and X7b for PC2 and X8a and X8b for PC3. When PC2 or PC3 is uncovered, the respective contacts X7a or X8a are open and the respective contacts X7b or X8b are closed. When PC2 or PC3 are covered, the contacts reverse themselves, and contacts X7a and X8a close and contacts X7b and X8b open.

The flow of power through the alternative circuit embodiment can be traced by assuming that the tail end 31 has been blown off the cant 30 and has settled upon the delivery table 12. Photocells PC2 and PC3 will be thus covered (see Fig. 11) and contacts X7a and X8a are thereby caused to close, and contacts X7b and X8b are thereby caused to open. Relay CR2 is thus energized through now closed contacts X7a, X8a, and YO and through normally closed contact R9a (line 4a of Fig. 7). When relay CR2 is thus energized, contact R2 is closed, which permits relayCR15tobeenergized (line 8of Fig. 7). By virtue of energizing relay CR1 5, contact R1 5 is closed.

Meanwhile, the drive rollers 3 and 6 continue to impart rotation to the cant 30 in the "rewinding- direction, and the tail end 31 is drawn across the delivery table 12 toward the cant 30. Eventually, the advancing tail end 31 will uncover photocells PC2 and PC3, and the associated contacts X7a, X7b and X8a, X8b will reverse their previous dispositions, contacts X7a, and X8a now being caused to open and contacts X7b and X8b now being caused to close.

This permits relay CR3 to be energized through now closed contacts X7b, X8b, YO, and R1 5 and through normally closed contact R9a (line 4a of Fig. 7). As before described, by the activation of relay CR3, normally closed contact R3a is caused to open and normally open contact R3b is caused to close, and power to the motor 4 is interrupted (line 7 of Fig. 7).

1 1 is 1 As should now be apparent, photocells PC2 and PC3 are connected such that contacts X7a and X8a and contacts X7b and X8b are in series relationship with each other. By virtue of this arrangement, it is necessary that PC2 and PC3 be simultaneously covered, then uncovered, by the adjacent outer tail edge 31 a and 31 b in order to complete the electrical sequence of the circuit just described and shown in line 4a of Fig. 7. Should the outer edges 31 a and 31 b of the tail end 31 by torn or otherwise uneven (as shown in phantom lines in Fig. 11), and as a result none or only one of the photocells PC2 and PC3 is covered, the control circuit which ultimately terminates cant rotation will not be activated. Thus, photocells PC2 and PC3 are operative to sense a cant 30 having a defective tail end 31 which is not in condition to be glued.

It should be apparent that, by virtue of the two alternate embodiments of the circuit shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the loose tail end 31 will always be located in a predetermined position upon the delivery table 12 when cant rotation is terminated. This insures that the glue seam will invariably be applied at the same predetermined distance from the edge of the tail end 3 1.

B. The Tail Gluing Stage Reference is now made to lines 11 through 18 of Fig. 6, which illustrate the control circuit involved in applying glue upon the tail end 31, and 95 also to Figs. 9 and 10, which illustrate the associated pneumatic control mechanism responsible for propelling the glue gun carriage chassis 17 back and forth along the beams 22 and 23 (the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2) or 100 beams 62 and 63 (the embodiment shown in Figs.

3 and 4).

Simultaneously with the activation of relay CR3 in the first circuit embodiment (line 5 of Fig. 6), relay CR2 is energized. In the second embodiment 105 (line 4a of Fig. 7), relay CR2 is energized when the tail end 31 arrives upon the delivery table 12 and covers photocells PC2 and PC3. In both embodiments, the energization of relay CR2 closes contact R2 which energizes relay CR1 5 (see line 8 110 of Figs. 6 and 7). When relay CR1 5 is energized, contact R1 5 is closed.

The closing of contact R1 5 energizes solenoid 52 (line 11 of Fig. 6). As heretofore described and as is seen in Fig. 10, the actuation of solenoid 52 moves the valve 50 from its normally closed position to its open position to permit pressurized air to flow to the glue gun 14 to pneumatically expel glue therefrom.

Simultaneously, the carriage chassis 17 is 120 pneumatically propelled over the delivery table 12, so that glue being pneumatically expelled from the gun 14 is applied along the longitudinal length of the stationary tail end 3 1.

More particularly, and referring first to Fig. 10, 125 the air inlet valve 54 is operatively movable between three positions. The first, or center, position blocks the flow of pressurized air to both ends of the hose 24, hereafter referred to, GB 2 073 719 A 5 respectively, as the left and right ends. The second, or right, position directs pressurized air through a right supply conduit 78, unseating a normally closed cheek valve 80 communicating therewith, to enter the right end of the hose 24. In like fashion, the third, or left, position directs pressurized air through a left supply conduit 82, unseating another normally closed cheek valve 84, to enter the left end of the hose 24.

The venting valve means 58 includes outlet valve means for independently venting the right and left ends of the hose with the atmosphere. While various constructions are possible, in the illustrated embodiment (Fig. 10), the right end and left end of the hose are independently vented to the atmosphere through separate outlet conduits, respectively, 86 and 88, each having its own outlet valve, respectively, 87 and 89. Each outlet valve 87 and 89 is operatively movable between a normally fully vented position, in which the respective end of the hose 24 freely communicates with the atmosphere (shown in Fig. 10), and a partially vented position, in which the respective end of the hose 24 is vented to the atmosphere through a restricted orifice 90 or the like.

A normally closed check valve, respectively, 91 and 92 is interposed between each end of the hose 24 and its associated outlet valve 87 and 89 so that neither the left nor the right ends of the hose are normally vented to the atmosphere. Each check valve 91 and 92 is unseated to vent the respective end with the atmosphere in response to the passage of airthrough a secondary outlet conduit, respectively, 93 and 94. Air flows through the respective conduit 93 and 94 as air confined in the adjacent hose end is expelled in response to the approach of the carriage chassis 17 toward that end.

In context of the particular arrangement of components just described, acceleration solenoids 96 and 98 are operatively connected with the inlet valve 54 and with the electrical control circuit (see lines 15 and 16 of Fig. 6) for imparting accelerated movement to the carriage chassis 17, respectively, toward the left and toward the right. Correspondingly, deceleration solenoids 97 and 99 are operatively connected, respectively, with the right outlet valve 87 and the left outlet valve 89 and with the electrical control circuit (see lines 17 and 18 of Fig. 6) for selectively controlling the venting of the respective hose end with the atmosphere to impede the accelerated movement of the carriage chassis 17 imparted by either acceleration solenoid 96 or 98.

More particularly, and referring first to Fig. 9, four conventional proximity switches, hereafter referred to as PS1, PS2, PS4 and PS5, are generally spaced adjacent to the hose 24 along the travel path of the carriage chassis 17. Proximity switches PS1 and PS2 are located, respectively, at the far right and far left ends of the hose 24. Proximity switch PS4 is located adjacent to PS2 on the left end of the hose 24, and proximity switch PS5 is located adjacent to PS 'I 6 GB 2 073 719 A 6 on the right end of the hose 24. The proximity switches PS1, PS2, PS4 and PS5 are each connected to an associated electrical contact which is interposed in the electrical control circuit, respectively, X9, X10, X12 and X13 (see also lines 70 12 through 18 of Fig. 6). The contacts X9, X '10, X1 2 and X1 3 are disposed in normally open positions, and the location of the carriage chassis 17 adjacent to the associated proximity switch will cause the respective contact to close.

The flow of power through the control circuit shown in lines 11 through 18 of Fig. 6 can now be traced by first assuming that the carriage chassis 17 is located at the far right end of the hose 24 and, thus, adjacent to proximity switch PS1. Contact X9 is thereby closed, and this permits relay CR5 to be energized (see line 13 of Fig. 6) through now closed contact X9, closed contact R3b (which is closed because relay CR3 was energized during the Tail Positioning Stage), and normally closed contact R9a. When relay CR5 is thus energized, normally closed contact R5a is caused to open and normally open associated contact R5b is caused to close.

When contact R5a opens, relay CR3 is deenergized (see line 6 of Fig. 6), thereby returning contact R3a to its normally closed position and contact R3b to its normally open position. However, power remains interrupted to the roller drive motor 4 (line 7 of Fig. 6), notwithstanding the closing of contact R3a, because contact R5a is now disposed in the open position.

When contact R5b closes, acceleration solenoid 96 is energized through now closed 100 contact R5b and normally closed contact R1 0 (line of Fig. 6). The inlet valve 54 is cpnsequently moved from its center position to its right position, and pressurized air is directed to the right end of the hose 24 through conduit 78 and unseated 105 check valve 80. Inasmuch as the carriage chassis 17 is located at the right end of the hose 24, accelerated movement of the carriage chassis 17 from the right end toward the left end wiN result as pressurized air occupies and expands the right end 110 of the hose 24.

It should be noted that, by virtue of closed contact R5b, relay CR l 5 remains energized (see line 9 of Fig. 6), thus assuring contact R1 5 remains closed to energize solenoid 52 to expel 115 glue from the glue gun 15 during the travel of the carriage chassis 17.

As the carriage chassis 17 accelerates toward the left hand side of the hose 24, it will eventually actuate proximity switch PS4 (see Fig. 9), thus closing contact X1 2. As seen in line 17 of Fig. 6, this permits deceleration solenoid 99 to be energized through now closed contact X1 2 and normally closed contact R7a. This also permits relay CR1 0 to be energized, which causes 125 normally closed contact R 10 to open.

The actuation of deceleration solenoid 99 shifts the left outlet valve 89 from its normally fully vented position to its partially vented position. The expulsion of air into the atmosphere through 130 conduit 94, unseated left check valve 92, and the left outlet valve 89, heretofore unrestricted, is suddenly restricted by orifice 90, and backpressure, or a pneumatic "cushion", is subsequently created in the left end of the hose 24.

At the same time that the "cushion" is being created by operation of the deceleration solenoid 99, the opening of normally closed contact R1 0 interrupts the flow of power to acceleration solenoid 96 (see line 15 of Fig. 6), and the inlet valve 54 consequently returns from its right position back to its normally centered position. The flow of pressurized air to the right end of the hose 24 is terminated.

Thus, just as backpressure is building to impede acceleration of the carriage chassis 17 toward the left hand side of the hose 24, the flow of pressurized air to the right hand side of the hose 24, which occasioned the accelerated movement in the first place, is terminated. The carriage chassis 17 rapidly decelerates. A conventional shock absorber (not shown) may be located at the left end of the hose 24 to cushion whatever impact may occur.

The carriage chassis 17, now located at the left hand side of the hose 24, actuates proximity switch PS2 (see Fig. 9), thereby closing contact X1 0. This deactuates relay CR5 (see line 12 of Fig. 6), which causes contact 135a to close and contact R5b to open. Relay CR1 5, in turn, is deenergized (line 9 of Fig. 6), opening contact R1 5 to deactuate solenoid 52 to prevent further expulsion of glue from the gun 15.

Since the.actuation of relay CR5 will immediately lead to the deactuation of relay CR3 (line 6 of Fig. 6), and thus the opening of contact R3b, the electrical sequence shown in line 13 of Fig. 6, in which the position of the carriage chassis 17 at one end of the hose 24 is first sensed and the carriage chassis 17 then accelerated toward the opposite end, will occur only once during the Tail Gluing Stage. Thus, the carriage chassis 17 makes only a single pass over the loose tail end 31 during each Tail Gluing Stage.

The travel of the carriage chassis 17 from the left hand side to the right hand side of the hose 24 follows the same electrical sequence as just described, although different relays are involved. Generally, when the carriage chassis 17 is located at the left hand side of the hose 24, proximity switch PS2 is actuated, closing contact X1 0 and permitting relay CR7 to be energized (see line 13 of Fig. 6). When relay CR7 is thus energize, d, normally closed contact 137a is opened and normally open contact R7b is closed. The closing of contact R7b actuates acceleration solenoid 98 (see line 16 of Fig. 6), moving the inlet valve 54 from its center position to its left position (see Fig. 10), and pressurized air thus enters the left end of the hose to propel the carriage chassis 17 toward the right.

As the carriage accelerates toward the right, proximity switch PS5 will be actuated (see Fig. 9), closing contact X1 3 and permitting deceleration T 7 solenoid 97 and relay CR1 1 to be energized (see line 18 of Fig. 6). The right outlet valve 87 is thereby shifted to its partially vented position simultaneously with the interruption of power to acceleration solenoid 98. Thus, the carriage chassis 17 is rapidly decelerated, and a shock absorber (not shown) may be located at the right hand side of the hose to cushion whatever impact may occur.

By virtue of the above described circuit, a line of glue has been quickly applied to the tail end 75 shortly after the positioning of the tail end 31 upon the delivery table 12.

C. Tafl Rewinding and Cant Ejection Stage Reference is now made to lines 19 through 26 of Fig. 6, which illustrate the control circuit involved in first rewinding the glued tail end 31 upon the cant 30 which is then followed by the ejection of the cant 30 from the rollers 3 and 6. 20 The energization of either relay CR5 or CR7 at the beginning of the Tail Gluing Stage (line 13 of Fig. 6), thereby closing associated contact R5b or R7b as heretofore described, causes relay CR9 to become energized (lines 20 and 21 of Fig. 6).

When relay CR9 is thus energized, normally closed contact R9a is caused to open and normally open contact R9b is caused to close.

The opening of contact R9a deactuates solenoid 46 (line 2 of Fig. 6), and the valve 44 is returned to its normally closed position to block 95 the flow of pressurized air to the blow nozzles 14.

At this operational stage, the tail end 31 has already been lifted off the cant 30 and is located on the delivery table 12, and it should be apparent that further operation of the blow nozzles 14 is not 100 necessary.

The closing of contact R9b energizes timer TD2 (line 23 of Fig. 6). Timer TD2 interposes a time delay of predetermined length and thereafter actuates solenoid 76 as well as relay CR4.

During the time delay interposed by timer TD2, and thus prior to actuation of solenoid 76 and relay CR4, the glue gun carriage chassis 17 is being sequentially accelerated and stopped at its destination at the left or right end of the hose 24 110 under the influence of the pneumatic control circuit as heretofore described. As has also been heretofore described, either acceleration relay CR5 or acceleration relay CR7 become deenergized upon the arrival of the carriage chassis 17 at its respective destination at the end of the Tail Gluing Stage, closing either associated contact R5a or 137a. Inasmuch as contacts R3a, R5a, and 137a are now all commonly disposed in their normally closed positions, power is restored to the roller drive motor 4 (see line 7 of Fig. 6), and rewinding of the glued tail end 31 upon the cant 30 commences.

The length of the time delay interposed by timer TD2 is calculated to encompass not only this 125 carriage travel time, and it thereafter encompasses an additional period of time to permit the now activated rollers 3 and 6 to rewind the tail end 31 upon the cant 30 before actuation GB 2 073 719 A 7 of solenoid 76 occurs. Generally, a carriage travel time of less than one second is to be expected, therefore a timer TD2 delay of two seconds will permit a rewind time of over one second (the difference between the total time delay and the carriage travel time) which is usually sufficient.

Upon the end of the time delay period, solenoid 76 is energized, which opens air valve 74 to permit the flow of pressurized air to the setting cylinders 9. The cant 30 is caused to be ejected from the drive rollers 3 and 6.

An additional proximity switch PS3 (see Fig. 8) is located on the frame 1 in the path of movement of the second roller 6 occasioned by operation of the setting cylinders 9. In particular, the proximity switch PS3 is located to detect the position of the second roller 6 at its uppermost pivotal position during the Cant Ejection Stage. Proximity switch PS3 is electrically connected to normally closed contact X1 4 (see lines 22 and 24 of Fig. 6) such that the location of the second roller 6 adjacent to proximity switch PS3 causes normally closed contact X '14 to open.

The opening of contact X1 4 resets timer TD2 (line 24 of Fig. 6). At the same time the opening of contact X '14 deenergizes relay CR9 (see line 22 of Fig. 6), thereby causing contact R9a to close and contact R9b to open. Solenoid 76 is deactuated by the opening of contact R9b (line 23 of Fig. 6), and the valve 74 is thereby returned to its normally closed position to block the conduction of pressurized air to the setting cylinders 9. The second roller 6 thus returns to its normal side-byside position with the first roller 3.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, the pivoting of the second roller 6 relative to the first roller 3 will cause the second roller 6 to momentarily pass in front of photocell 13a. This will close contact X6 (line 2 of Fig. 6) to actuate the blow nozzle solenoid 46 before it is operationally desirable to do so. To prevent the premature actuation of the blow nozzle solenoid 46, a third timer unit TD3 is provided (line 25 of Fig. 6). More particularly, simultaneously with actuating solenoid 76 to eject the cant from the rollers, timer TD2 actuates relay CR4 which opens normally closed contact R4 and actuates timer TD3.

When timer TD3 is thus actuated, relay CR 14 is energized for a predetermined period of time. During the time in which relay CR 14 is energized, normally closed contact R 14 is caused to open. When contact R 14 is opened (line 2 of Fig. 6), power to the blow nozzle solenoid 46 is interrupted, notwithstanding the closing of photocell contact X6 as the second roller 6 passed in front of photocell 1 3a.

The length of time interjected by timer TD3 is predetermined so as to correspond with the time it takes the second roller 6 to move from its side-byside position with the first roller 3 to its uppermost pivotal position adjacent proximity switch PS3 and return. After this period of time, timer TD3 becomes deactuated and relay CR '14 is deenergized, returning contact R 14 to its normally closed position, after which the closing of 8 GB 2 073 719 A 8 photocell contact X6 occasioned by the arrival of a 45 predetermined period of time to energize the cant new cant 30 upon the rollers 3 and 6 will again ejection relay CR9 (lines 20 and 21 of Fig. 6), relay actuate blow nozzle solenoid 46. CR 1 will become energized to do so.

It should now be apparent that the device 32 as above described provides for efficient, high speed finishing of the rolled product.

D. Secondary Cant Election Control Typically, cants are delivered to the drive rollers 3 and 6 in assembly-line fashion at closely spaced intervals, such as by a conveyor belt or the like (not shown). To insure that one cant has been ejected from the device prior to the arrival of a subsequent cant, a secondary ejection control circuit is provided which will eject the cant after it spends a predetermined period of time on the drive rollers 3 and 6, regardless of whether or not the three operational sequences just described have been completed. For example, should the tail end 31 be stuck to the body of the cant 30, actuation of the control circuit shown in lines 1 60 through 10 of Fig. 6 will not take place, inasmuch as photocells PC4 and PC5 will not be covered by the stuck tail end 3 1. Further, should the tail end 31 be stuck or uneven (as shown in Fig. 11), actuation of the alternate control circuit (shown in Fig. 7) will not take place, inasmuch as photocells PC2 and PC3 will not be concurrently operated by the stuck or uneven tail end 31. Thus, the secondary election control circuit is necessary to eject this defective cant prior to arrival of the subsequent cant and thereby avoid cant collision and mechanical jamming.

More particularly, and referring first to line 2 of Figs. 6 and 7, the closing of contact X6 occasioned by the detection by photocell PC l of the cant on the drive rollers 3 and 6 actuates timer TD1 (shown in phantom lines in Figs. 6 and 7).

After a predetermined time delay, timer TD 1 energizes relay CR1, and associated contact R1 is closed. This permits relay CR9 to become energized to initiate the cant ejection sequence (line 19 of Fig. 6). The eventual energization of relay CR4 during the cant ejection cycle opens contact R4 and resets timer TD 1 (line 3 of Figs. 6 and 7).

Thus, in either circuit embodiment, should relays CR5 or CR7 fail to become energized within a

Claims (3)

1. A machine for handling a roll of wound sheet-like material having a loose tail end, the machine including means for rotating the roll in a direction tending to wind the loose tail end upon the roll, means for unwinding the loose tail end off the roll during rotation, a delivery table upon which the loose tail end settles after being unwound, gluing means for applying glue to the loose tail end situated on the delivery table, means for ejecting the roll off the roll rotation means, roll sensor means for detecting the presence of the roll on the roll rotation means, primary ejection circuit means for operating the roll ejection means subsequent to the operation of said gluing means, and secondary ejection circuit means for operating the roll ejection means independently of said primary ejection circuit means at a predetermined time after the detection by said roll sensor means of the presence of the roll on the roll rotation means.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the means for rotating the roll includes a drive motor, a first drive roller, a second drive roller adjacently spaced from and parallel to said first drive roller, means for operatively connecting said first and said second drive rollers with said drive motor for common rotation, and wherein said roll sensor means includes photocell means mounted intermediate said first drive roller and said second drive roller for sensing the location of the roll on said first and second drive rollers.

3. A machine for handling a roll of wound sheet-like material having a loose tail, as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1981. Published by the Patent btfice, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.

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