GB2196940A - Stationary splicing of paper webs - Google Patents

Abstract

Paper webs having spaced transverse rows of perforations (15) are spliced by locating one end (11a) of first sheet material (11) in position, applying double-sided adhesive tape (21) to the end (11a) adjacent and downstream of perforations (15a), cutting sheet material (11a) and adhesive taps (21) simultaneously along a line (22) spaced from the perforations (15a) and attaching end (16) of second sheet material (12) to the other side of the adhesive tape (21) adjacent the row of perforations (13a). Splicing apparatus (30) comprises a table (31) having sheet location pegs (33) in a row adjacent its front edge (34) and a hardened cutting surface (32). Cutting template (41), pivotally attached to table (31), guides a cutter to cut sheet material (11) and adhesive tape (21). Adhesive tape supply (38, 39) is mounted on the front (34) of the table (31) and a paper feed carton table (44) and receiving carton table (45) are provided on opposed sides of the table (31). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Joining sheet material and apparatus therefor This invention relates to the joining of sheet material and apparatus therefor, particularly to the joining of reels or folded stacks of paper to be fed to a printing apparatus. Such paper is supplied in relatively long lengths having rows of perforations extending laterally thereacross and spaced apart by a distance equal to the height of a page when the paper is separated at the perforation lines. If the end of a reel or stack of paper is reached, the printing apparatus must stop until a new supply of paper is fed thereto. This is time consuming and costly, and in consequence it is usual to join a new supply of paper to the end of an existing supply before the end of the existing supply is reached, thereby ensuring that the printing operation can be continuous.

It is known to join two reels or stacks of paper by placing the two ends in edge to edge relationship, the butt joint thus formed overlying a strip of adhesive tape. The tape has a row of perforations extending along its longitudinal centre line, and it is essential that the butt joint is aligned precisely with the row of perforations in the tape so that the two pages adjacent the butt joint will separate along the line of perforations in the tape. If the joint and perforations are not correctly aligned the two pages will not fold correctly and may not separate (burst) along the paper perforations.Such accurate alignment of the butt joint and perforations in the tape is a difficult and time-consuming operation, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of joining sheet material, and apparatus for performing that method, in which the abovementioned disadvantages are avoided or reduced to a substantial extent.

The invention comprises locating a first elongate sheet material having a row of perforations extending laterally thereacross in an operational position, attaching one side of a strip of a double-sided adhesive tape to said sheet material so as to extend adjacent and substantially parallel with said row of perforations, cutting said sheet material and said adhesive tape simultaneously along a line spaced from said row of perforations, and attaching an end of a second elongate sheet material to the other side of said adhesive tape with said end adjacent said row of perforations.

The invention also provides apparatus for performing the aforesaid method comprising a table having a cutting surface thereon, means on said table adapted to locate an elongate sheet material thereon in an operational position over said cutting surface, template means attached to said table and movable between an inoperative position and an operative position in which it overlies said sheet material and said cutting surface, and adhesive tape supply means.

The method according to the invention and one embodiment of apparatus for performing such method will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are plan and side views respectively of a joint between two elongate sheet materials, as formed by the known method, Figs. 3 and 4 are plan and side views respectively of a joint between two elongate sheet materials as formed by the method of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of apparatus for performing the method of the present invention, Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged details of theapparatus of Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is an end view of the apparatus of Fig. 5.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a joint 10 between two elongate reels or stacks of continuous computer paper 11, 12. Each length of paper 11, 12 is provided with a row of holes 13 adjacent each longitudinal edge 14, and is subdivided into sections by spaced rows of perforations 15 which -extend transversely across the lengths of paper 11, 12. The spacing of the perforations 15 from each other and from the ends 16 of-the lengths of paper 11,12 is such that separation of the pieces of paper 11, 12 along the rows of perforations 15 provide separate pages or sheets, each of any desired size.

The joint 10 is formed as a butt-joint between the ends 16 of the lengths of paper 11, 12, with a strip of adhesive tape 17 overlapping the two ends 16. The adhesive tape 1 7 has a row of perforations 18 extending along its longitudinal centre-line, and this row of perforations 18 must be accurately aligned with the butt-joint between the ends 16 of the lengths of paper 11, 12. If such alignment is not attained, the two sheets of the papers 11, 12 adjacent the joint 10 will not readily fold and subsequently separate at the joint 10. The procedure of correctly locating the adhesive tape 17 with the correct alignment of perforations 18 and the butt joint between the ends 16 is both difficult and time-consuming.

To avoid these disadvantages the method of the present invention provides a joint 20 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this case the first length of paper 11 is located with the first row of perforations 15a from the free end 16 at an operational position. A strip of double sided adhesive tape 21 is attached to the endmost sheet 11 a with one edge of the tape 21 adjacent the row of perforations 15a. The spacing of the edge of the tape 21 from the row of perforations 15a is not critical, and may be for example 0.5 to 1mm, so that location of the tape 21 is not as time consuming as with the previously described method.A template (see Figs. 5 and 8) is then used to cut the tape 21 and paper 1 lea along a line 22 intermediate the row of perforations 15a and the adjacent holes 13 in the sheet 1 lea. Preferably the line 22 is curved to provide a wider central part of adhesive tape 21 than is available adjacent the edges 14.

The endmost sheet 1 lea with a small amount of adhesive tape 21 attached thereto is discarded as suggested by arrows A. The second length of paper 12 is then attached to the other side of the adhesive tape 21 which remains, after first removing any backing sheet which is provided thereon. The second length of paper 12 is positioned with its free end 16 adjacent the row of perforations 15a so that the endmost sheet 12a of the second length of paper 12 is attached to the newly endmost sheet 11 b, but may be readily and reliably separated therefrom along the line of perforations 15a.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8 there is shown an apparatus 30 for performing the method as above described in relation to Figs.

3 and 4. The apparatus 30 comprises a table 31 having a hardened cutting surface 32 thereon. A plurality of paper location pegs 33 are provided in a row adjacent the front edge 34 of the table 31. The spacing of the pegs 33 corresponds with the spacing of the holes 13 in the paper 11, 12. Slots 36 are provided in the cutting surface 32 as seen more particularly in Fig. 6, the slots 36 being connected via a suction pipe 37 to a suction fan (not shown). Suction applied to the slots 36 provides a securing means for the paper 11 when placed on the table 31, and the pegs 33 provide location means ensuring that the line of perforations 15a referred to above may readily be located in the operational position on the cutting surface 32. A strip of adhesive tape 21 is taken from a roll 38 conveniently mounted on a roll holder 39 provided on the front 34 of the table 31.Two guide pegs 40 serve as guides for one edge of the adhesive tape 21 so that it is readily positioned with the other edge correctly located on top of the sheet 1 1a adjacent the line of perforations 15a. A template 41, mounted on a carrier plate 42 which is pivoted at 43 to the rear 35 of the table 31, is moved from an inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 5 and in dashed lines in Fig. 8, to an operative position as shown in full lines in Fig. 8. With the profiled edge 42 of the template 41 serving as a guide, the adhesive tape 21 and the sheet 11 a are cut through using a sharp edged blade, the hardened cutting surface 32 serving as an anvil and preventing damage to the table 31.The template 41 is then moved back to the inoperative position, the sheet 1 1a discarded and the second length of paper 12 attached to the adhesive tape 12 and first length of paper 11, the pegs 33 serving to correctly locate the endmost sheet 1 2a of the second length of paper 12 with its free end 16 adjacent the row of perforations 15a. A switch 43 is provided to stop the application of suction to the slots 36 so that the joinedup lengths of paper 11, 12 may be removed from the machine 30.

To facilitate handling of the paper 11, 12, the table 31 is provided with a feed carton table 44 and a receiving carton table 45. In the embodiment shown the feed carton table 44 is at a fixed height in relation to the top of the table 31. However, if preferred, the height of the table 44 may be adjustable in the manner described in relation to the receiving carton table 45. For mounting the receiving carton table 45, the table 31 is provided with an end plate 46 having two spaced, vertically disposed slots 47 therein. A ratchet screwjack 48 is provided so that the table 45 may be raised or lowered, and screw-clamps 49 serve as guides for guiding during raising or lowering and clamps for locating the table 45 relative to the table 31.The clamps 49, seen more particularly in Fig. 7, comprise a screw 50 passing through one of the slots 47 and through an aperture 52 in the back wall 51 of the table 45. A locking handle 54 is pinned to the screw 50 and a nylon nut 53 is located on the back of the grooved plate 46.

A nylon glider washer 55 is located between the back wall 51 and table end plate 46 to ensure smooth movement of the table 45. By adjustment of the height of the table 45 receiving cartons of differing size may readily be accommodated.

Modifications and alternative embodiments will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. For example the table 45 may be fixed, or may be raised and lowered electrically or hydraulically. The template 41 may be detachably secured to the carrier plate 42, so that different templates to suit different widths of paper may be used. If the width of the paper to be used with a particular apparatus is constant, a second row of pegs 32 may be provided adjacent the rear edge 35 of the table 34 to assist in the correct location of the paper.

Claims (19)

1. A method of joining sheet material comprising locating a first elongate sheet material, having a sheet separation line extending laterally thereacross, in an operational position, attaching one side of a strip of a double-sided adhesive tape to said sheet material so as to extend adjacent and substantially parallel with said separation line, cutting said sheet material and said adhesive tape simultaneously along a line spaced from said separation line, and attaching an end of a second elongate sheet material to the other side of said adhesive tape with said end adjacent said separation line.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein one edge of said strip of adhesive tape is spaced from said separation line by a distance in the range of 0.5 to 1.0mum.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising locating a template on said sheet material and adhesive tape and using an edge of said template to guide cutting means whilst cutting said sheet material and adhesive tape simultaneously.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising discarding an endmost sheet of said sheet material and a portion of said adhesive tape attached thereto after said cutting step.

5. A method of joining sheet material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

6. Apparatus for joining sheet material comprising a table having a cutting surface thereon, locating means on said table adapted to locate a first elongate sheet material, having a sheet separation line extending laterally thereacross, in an operational position to extend over said cutting surface, adhesive tape supply means, cutting means, and locating means on said table adapted to locate a second elongate sheet material with an end thereof adjacent said separation line.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 comprising template means attached to said table and movable between an in-operative position and an operative position in which it overlies said sheet material and said cutting surface.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said cutting surface is of a hardened material.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said sheet material locating means comprise a plurality of location pegs upstanding from said table.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9.wherein said location pegs are disposed in spaced arrangement adjacent a front edge of said table.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10 comprising suction means, and said cutting surface has slots therein which are in fluid flow communication with said suction means.

12. Apparatus according to amy one of claims 6 to 11 comprising guide pegs mounted on said table for guiding one edge of adhesive tape withdrawn from said supply means.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 12 comprising a sheet material feed carton table disposed at one side of said cutting table.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said feed carton table is located at a fixed height in relation to said cutting table.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14 comprising a sheet material receiving carton table disposed at the opposed side of said cutting table.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the height of said receiving carton table relative to said cutting table is adjustable.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 comprising screw-jack means operable to adjust the height of said receiving carton table relative to said cutting table.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17 comprising releasable clamping means operable to clamp said receiving carton table in any desired position of height adjustment.

19. Apparatus for joining sheet material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figs 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.