GB2537164A

GB2537164A - Foil coiling system and method

Info

Publication number: GB2537164A
Application number: GB1506102.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hawke Richard
Original assignee: Primetals Technologies Ltd
Current assignee: Primetals Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2015-04-10
Filing date: 2015-04-10
Publication date: 2016-10-12
Also published as: EP3280550A1; GB201506102D0; WO2016162147A1

Abstract

Foil coiling system including a handling apparatus 200, wrapping apparatus 400 and coiling apparatus 300. The handling apparatus is arranged to receive a leading end of a foil sheet F expelled from a bite (103, fig 1b) of a foil mill and move the leading end so as to extend the sheet over the coiling apparatus. The wrapping apparatus is arranged to guide the sheet onto the coiling apparatus, provide a wrapping end of the sheet and wrap the sheet around a portion of the coiling apparatus. The coiling apparatus is arranged to rotate in order to coil the wrapped sheet around the coiling apparatus.

Description

FOIL COILING SYSTEM AND METHOD

The present invention relates to a foil coiling system and method.

In a conventional aluminium foil sheet coiling system, the head end of the foil sheet exiting the work rolls at the start of rolling in a rolling mill is usually wrapped around the coiler mandrel or spool using a belt wrapper. The leading edge of the foil is directed into a gap between the belt and the coiler mandrel or spool and is then directed by the belt around the circumference of the coiler mandrel or spool. Once the foil has been wrapped around the mandrel or spool a few times it becomes self-gripping and the belt wrapper can then be withdrawn. However, some foils can be very thin (e.g. 6 microns thick) making them too delicate to be handled by a belt wrapper. Also, when starting the rolling process, the thin gauge foil may exit the rolling mill in a wrinkled or shredded manner because the rolling mill has not reached a steady state condition. The wrinkled or shredded condition of the foil makes it difficult to handle the foil from the mill bite to the coiler.

Techniques to deal with this include floating the sheet on air, but when the foil is shredded this does not work reliably. Alternatively, the foil may be guided manually by operators between the mill and the coiler, for example using a pole. Once the foil has been guided over the top of the coiler mandrel or spool, a common technique involves one or two operators folding the foil over on itself repeatedly until the quality of the foil is acceptable for the start of coiling; they then quickly cut or tear off the folded part and direct the new leading edge around the coiler. This is a manually intensive process and is potentially quite dangerous for the operators particularly because the foil sticks to the coiler quite readily as it is typically coated in kerosene (containing lubricant) as a result of the rolling process.

The invention aims to alleviate at least to some extent one or more of the problems of the prior art.

The invention is set out in the accompanying claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a foil coiling system, comprising: foil handling apparatus; foil wrapping apparatus; and foil coiling apparatus; wherein: the foil handling apparatus is arranged to receive a leading end of a foil sheet when expelled from a bite of a foil mill and move the leading end so as to extend the foil sheet over the foil coiling apparatus; the foil wrapping apparatus is arranged to guide the foil sheet onto the foil coiling apparatus, provide a wrapping end of the foil sheet, and wrap the foil sheet around at least a portion of the foil coiling apparatus; and the foil coiling apparatus is arranged to rotate in order to coil the wrapped foil sheet around the foil coiling apparatus.

The foil coiling system can take the foil from the point at which it exits the mill bite, extend the foil over the coiler, and attach the foil to the coiler, after which a normal coiling process can be conducted. An advantage of the foil coiling system is that is provides an automated (un-supervised) coiling process -meaning personnel can be kept clear. The foil coiling system is particularly suitable for foil sheet having a thickness of 0.1 millimetres or less.

The foil wrapping apparatus may be arranged to cut the foil sheet in order to provide the wrapping end of the foil sheet.

The foil handling apparatus may comprise a grabber, the grabber including an opening for receiving the leading end of the foil sheet and being arranged to rotate in order to grab the received leading end. The grabber may comprise an elongate driveable roller including a longitudinal slot for receiving the leading end of the foil sheet and a rolling surface for accumulating the foil sheet. The driveable roller may be movable to an offline position away from the foil wrapping apparatus in order to remove the accumulated foil sheet from the driveable roller. The slot may extend through the thickness of the driveable roller. The driveable roller may be arranged to be driven by a motor via a drive belt. The entire rolling surface of the driveable roller may be curved. Alternatively, the rolling surface of the driveable roller may comprise a curved portion and a flat portion.

The grabber can grasp hold of the foil sheet even if the foil emerging from the mill bite is wrinkled or shredded.

The foil coiling system may include a guide for guiding the leading end of the foil sheet from the bite of the foil mill into the slot of the driveable roller. At least a portion of the guide may be curved so as to conform to the curved portion of the rolling surface of the driveable roller. The driveable roller may be arranged to move away from the guide in order to rotate after the leading end of the foil sheet has been received in the slot. This can allow the foil sheet to accumulate on the driveable roller.

The foil handling apparatus may be arranged to move the leading end of the foil sheet at such a speed that the foil sheet is maintained in tension as the foil sheet is expelled from the foil mill.

The foil wrapping apparatus may include at least one deflection element for deflecting the foil sheet onto the foil coiling apparatus. The foil wrapping apparatus may include at least one guiding element for pressing the foil sheet onto the foil coiling apparatus. The at least one guiding element may include at least one guide roller. The at least one guiding element may be arranged to be selectively moveable toward or away from the foil coiling apparatus.

The foil coiling apparatus may comprise an elongate foil coiling roller and the foil wrapping apparatus may be arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the foil coiling roller such that the at least one guiding element is movable around the curved surface of the foil coiling roller in order to wrap the foil sheet around the foil coiling roller.

The foil wrapping apparatus may comprise a frame which is substantially C-shaped in section.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a foil mill system, comprising a foil mill and a foil coiling system as described herein above.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided foil handling apparatus for a foil coiling system, comprising an elongate driveable roller including a longitudinal slot for receiving a leading end of a foil sheet when expelled from a bite of a foil mill, wherein the driveable roller is arranged to rotate in order to grab the received leading end and the foil handling apparatus is arranged to move the received leading end to extend the foil sheet.

It will be understood by the skilled reader that the foil handling apparatus may include a combination of the relevant features described herein above with respect to the foil coiling system.

The foil handling apparatus advantageously transports the foil sheet away from the rolling mill without a need for manual intervention by an operator, thereby improving the safety of the process.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided foil wrapping apparatus for a foil coiling system, comprising: at least one deflection element for deflecting a foil sheet onto an elongate foil coiling roller; a cutter for providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet; and at least one guiding element for pressing the foil sheet onto the foil coiling roller; wherein the foil wrapping apparatus is arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the foil coiling roller such that the at least one guiding element is movable around the curved surface of the foil coiling roller in order to wrap the foil sheet around the foil coiling roller.

It will be understood by the skilled reader that the foil wrapping apparatus may include a combination of the relevant features described herein above with respect to the foil coiling system.

The foil wrapping apparatus advantageously transfers the foil sheet onto the coiler without a need for manual intervention by an operator, thereby improving the safety of the process.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an automated method of coiling a foil sheet, comprising: expelling a leading end of the foil sheet from a foil mill; grabbing the leading end and moving the leading end so as to extend the foil sheet; guiding the foil sheet onto foil coiling apparatus; providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet; wrapping the foil sheet around at least a portion of the foil coiling apparatus; and rotating the foil coiling apparatus in order to coil the wrapped foil sheet around the foil coiling apparatus.

The automated method may comprise accumulating the foil sheet on a roller prior to providing the wrapping end of the foil sheet. The automated method may comprise moving the roller to an offline position away from the foil coiling apparatus after the foil sheet has been cut in order to remove the accumulated foil sheet from the roller.

The automated method may comprise moving the leading end of the foil sheet at such a speed that the foil sheet is maintained in tension as the foil sheet is expelled from the foil mill. Providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet may comprise cutting the foil sheet. The foil sheet may be maintained in tension as the foil sheet is cut.

Thus it will be seen that individually each of the foil handling apparatus and the foil wrapping apparatus usefully provides part-automation of the coiling process, while together the foil handling apparatus and the foil wrapping apparatus work in synergy to completely automate the process.

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figures 1 to 3 show apparatus comprising a foil coiling system in accordance with the invention; and Figures 4 to 7 illustrate the foil coiling system in operation.

Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, an aluminium rolling mill 100 comprises a pair of work rolls 101, 102 having respective longitudinal axes X, X' and together forming a mill bite 103. In this embodiment, each work roll 101, 102 has a diameter of about 280 millimetres. As will be described in more detail later herein, a foil sheet (not shown) may be formed by the work rolls 101, 102 as they are rotated in opposing directions A, B and expelled from the mill bite 103 in a downstream direction C which is substantially normal to the longitudinal axes X, X'.

In this embodiment, a horizontally-arranged apron 104 is provided adjacent to the mill bite 103 to support the foil sheet as it emerges from the mill bite 103, the apron 104 including a lip 104a for guiding the foil sheet and a flat portion 104b adjacent to the lip 104a.

Referring now also to Figure 2, a foil handling assembly 200 comprises a foil handling part 201 and a control part 202 for controlling movement of the foil handling part 201. The control part 202 comprises a segmented and articulated swing arm 202a which extends horizontally from the top of a vertical support member 202b which houses a drive motor 202c. The free end of the swing arm 202a supports the foil handling part 201 which includes a rectangular frame 201a that projects from the swing arm 202a in a generally horizontal orientation. A front portion of the rectangular frame 201a carries an elongate, rotatable grab roller 201b which is arranged to be driven, via a belt 201c, by a motor 201d mounted on a side of the rectangular frame 201a. The grab roller 201b includes a longitudinally-extending slot 201e which, in this embodiment, extends laterally through the entire thickness of the grab roller 201b. A rear portion of the rectangular frame 201a is pivotally connected to the free end of the swing arm 202a by an actuator, in this embodiment a telescopic rod 202d, such that the rectangular frame 201a (and thereby the grab roller 201b) may be tilted up or down away from the horizontal position.

The drive motor 202c of the control part 202 is arranged to rotate the swing arm 202a about a longitudinal axis of the vertical support member 202b so as selectively to move the foil handling part 201 in a horizontal plane toward and away from the mill bite 103. More particularly, the segmented and articulated arrangement of the swing arm 202a converts the rotational movement of the swing arm 202a to a linear movement of the rectangular frame 201a (and thereby the grab roller 201 b) directly toward/away from the mill bite 103.

Arranged at some downstream distance from the rolling mill 100 is a foil coiling assembly 300 (Figure 2) comprising a cylindrical coiler or mandrel 301 which is supported by support blocks 302 and arranged to be driven by a motor (not shown) to rotate about its longitudinal axis Y. Referring now also to Figures 3A and 3B, a foil wrapping assembly 400 comprises a wrapping part 401 and a control part 402 for controlling movement of the wrapping part 401. The control part 402 includes a horizontally disposed elongate guide member 402a and a support member 402b which carries the wrapping part 401 and is arranged to slide along the guide member 402a.

The wrapping part 401 comprises a frame 401a which is arranged to slide vertically, that is selectively up and down, relative to the support member 402b. The frame 401a includes a set of foil deflection rollers 401b which are free to rotate, and supports a pair of curved, generally C-shaped members 401c which are vertically disposed and laterally spaced apart by a distance which is slightly greater than the maximum width of the foil sheet that is to be expelled from the mill bite 103. The C-shaped members 401c are supported on the frame 401a by a set of free support rollers 401d which are mounted at respective ends of a set of support members 401e that project from the frame 401a, the support rollers 401d being received in respective tracks 401f provided on the sides of the C-shaped members 401c such that the C-shaped members 401c are rotatable relative to the frame 401a. Rotation is achieved using a motor and gear (not shown) which engage gear teeth on the C-shaped members 401c. Thus together the frame 401a and C-shaped members 401c provide a C-frame which is substantially C-shaped in profile. On the inside surface of each of the C-shaped members 401c there is disposed a pivotably-mounted clamp 401g comprising a set of foil wrapping rollers 401h which are free to rotate and at a forward end of each clamp 401g there is disposed a blade 401i which is configured to cut a foil sheet.

The operation of the foil coiling system will now be described.

Referring again to Figure 1 B, initially the grab roller 201 b is positioned adjacent the mill bite 103 such that the flat portion of the grab roller 201b is in contact with the flat portion 104b of the apron 104. Referring now to Figure 4, the work rolls 101, 102 are rotated in order to expel a foil sheet F from the mill bite 103. In this embodiment, the foil sheet F has a width of about two metres and a thickness of about 0.1 millimetres or less. The initial roll speed is about 0.5 metres per second. As it leaves the mill bite 103 the leading edge of the foil sheet F is first guided onto the lip 104a of the apron 104. As has been discussed herein above, the foil sheet F may emerge from the mill bite 103 in a wrinkled or shredded condition. As the work rolls 101, 102 continue to feed the foil sheet F from the mill bite 103, the leading edge of the foil sheet F passes into and through the slot 201e of the grab roller 201b. The telescopic rod 202d is then actuated to raise the front portion of the rectangular frame 201a so that the flat portion of the grab roller 201 b is lifted off the flat portion 104b of the apron 104. The grab roller 201 b is then rotated in order to trap the leading edge of the foil sheet F and wrap a portion of the foil sheet F around the grab roller 201b (Figure 4). Rotation of the grab roller 201 b may be stopped once the grab roller 201 b has taken up enough of the foil sheet F to firmly grip the foil sheet F. Alternatively, the grab roller 201 b may continue to rotate in order to take up some or all of a lower quality portion of the foil sheet F, that is any portion which is wrinkled or shredded.

Referring to Figure 5, the drive motor 202c is actuated to turn the swing arm 202a and thereby move the rectangular frame 201 a and grab roller 201 b directly away from the foil mill 100 in a substantially horizontal plane. That is, the rectangular frame 201a and grab roller 201b are moved in a plane which is substantially the same as the plane defined by the foil sheet F as it leaves the mill bite 103. This movement of the swing arm 202a may be simultaneous with the tilting motion of the telescopic rod 202d. Accordingly, the foil sheet F is extended out from the foil mill 100 in a generally horizontal orientation. In order to prevent the foil mill 100 from "overfeeding" the foil sheet F as the rectangular frame 201a is moved, the linear speed of the rectangular frame 201a is made substantially the same as the speed at which the foil sheet F is expelled from the mill bite 103. In this way the foil sheet F is kept under substantially constant tension as it is extended so as to provide a generally flat sheet.

Once the leading edge of the foil sheet F has been moved downstream beyond the location of the mandrel 301 the swing arm 202a is brought to rest, thereby halting the linear motion of the grab roller 201 b and the leading edge of the foil sheet F. In this condition the foil sheet F is positioned above the mandrel 301, the lower surface of the foil sheet F being separated from the upper part of the mandrel 301 by a short vertical distance. At this point the grab roller 201b is again rotated to take up any slack in the foil sheet F. Referring to Figure 6, while the grab roller 201b is reeling up the lower quality material of the foil sheet F, or afterward, the control part 402 of the foil wrapping assembly 400 is actuated to move the wrapping part 401 thereof into position above that portion of the foil sheet F which is above the mandrel 301. Referring now to Figures 7A to 7F, the wrapping part 401 is lowered toward the mandrel 301 so that the foil deflection rollers 401b come into contact with the upper surface of the foil sheet F. As the wrapping part 401 continues to move downward the foil deflection rollers 401b push down on the foil sheet F and cause a portion of the foil sheet F to be deflected from the horizontal orientation.

Further downward movement of the wrapping part 401 causes the lower surface of the foil sheet F to come into contact with the curved surface of the mandrel 301 and, as the wrapping part 401 is lowered yet further, the foil sheet F tends to conform to the curved surface of the mandrel 301 (Figures 7A, 7B). Here the mandrel 301 is rotating at the same speed as the moving foil sheet F. Typically, the wrapping part 401 is lowered toward the mandrel 301 in a continuous operation. The downward movement of the wrapping part 401 is halted when the C-shaped members 401c are substantially concentric with the mandrel 301. That is, when the C-shaped members 401c generally surround the curved surface of the mandrel 301 (Figure 7C).

Once the foil sheet F is judged to be of acceptable quality, the pivotablymounted clamps 401g are actuated so that the foil wrapping rollers 401h come into contact with the foil sheet F, securing the foil sheet F between the foil wrapping rollers 401h and the mandrel 301 (Figure 7C). Next; the C-shaped members 401c are rotated, causing the clamps 401g to travel around the curved surface of the mandrel 301 and the blades 401 i to contact and cut the foil sheet F across its width (Figure 7D). Accordingly, a new leading edge, or wrapping end, of the foil sheet F is provided. The mandrel 301 is rotated at a speed which matches that of the rotating C-shaped members 401c and corresponds to the speed of the foil sheet F. Once the C-shaped members 401c have reached the limit of their rotation (Figure 7E) the free wrapping rollers 401h allow the mandrel 301 to continue to rotate, encouraging the wrapping end of the foil sheet F to continue to progress around the circumference of the mandrel 301 until the wrapping end becomes trapped by the portion of the foil sheet F which is above the wrapping end (Figure 7F). The clamps 401g are retracted so that the wrapping rollers 401e are lifted away from the foil sheet F and the foil sheet F is coiled onto the mandrel 301 as the mandrel 301 continues to rotate. The C-shaped members 401c are rotated back to their original position and the foil wrapping assembly 400 is moved away from the mandrel 301.

In addition the foil handling assembly 200 may be moved to an offline position away from the mandrel 301, for example as soon as the foil sheet F has been cut by the blades 401i or at the same time the foil wrapping assembly 400 is moved away from the mandrel 301. This allows for safe removal of the lower quality "scrap" foil, which may be achieved by rotating the grab roller 201b in a direction which is opposite to the direction used to accumulate the foil, or alternatively by manual removal.

It will be understood that the invention has been described in relation to its preferred embodiments and may be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

For example, in an embodiment, the foil sheet F is extended from the rolling mill 100 in a non-horizontal plane, for example so as to tilt upward or downward.

In an embodiment, the foil sheet F is extended below the mandrel 301 and the wrapping part 401 is arranged to move upward in order to guide the foil sheet F onto the mandrel 301.

In an embodiment, the foil wrapping rollers 401h are replaced by resilient pads.

In an embodiment, the blades 401i are replaced by perforators which are configured to puncture the foil sheet F such that the sheet may be torn in order to provide the wrapping end.

In an embodiment, the blades for cutting the foil sheet F are provided by the foil handling assembly 200 rather than the foil wrapping assembly 400.

In an embodiment, the grab roller 201b is omitted and the foil handling assembly 200 includes a pair of closable jaws for grabbing the leading edge of the foil sheet F. The jaws may be activated by a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A foil coiling system, comprising: foil handling apparatus; foil wrapping apparatus; and foil coiling apparatus; wherein: the foil handling apparatus is arranged to receive a leading end of a foil sheet when expelled from a bite of a foil mill and move the leading end so as to extend the foil sheet over the foil coiling apparatus; the foil wrapping apparatus is arranged to guide the foil sheet onto the foil coiling apparatus, provide a wrapping end of the foil sheet, and wrap the foil sheet around at least a portion of the foil coiling apparatus; and the foil coiling apparatus is arranged to rotate in order to coil the wrapped foil sheet around the foil coiling apparatus.
2. A foil coiling system according to claim 1, wherein the foil wrapping apparatus is arranged to cut the foil sheet in order to provide the wrapping end of the foil sheet.
3. A foil coiling system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the foil handling apparatus comprises a grabber, the grabber including an opening for receiving the leading end of the foil sheet and being arranged to rotate in order to grab the received leading end.
4. A foil coiling system according to claim 3, wherein the grabber comprises an elongate driveable roller including a longitudinal slot for receiving the leading end of the foil sheet and a rolling surface for accumulating the foil sheet.
5. A foil coiling system according to claim 4, wherein the driveable roller is movable to an offline position away from the foil wrapping apparatus in order to remove the accumulated foil sheet from the driveable roller.
6. A foil coiling system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the slot extends through the thickness of the driveable roller.
7. A foil coiling system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the driveable roller is arranged to be driven by a motor via a drive belt.
8. A foil coiling system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the entire rolling surface of the driveable roller is curved.
9. A foil coiling system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the rolling surface of the driveable roller comprises a curved portion and a flat portion.
10. A foil coiling system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, including a guide for guiding the leading end of the foil sheet from the bite of the foil mill into the slot of the driveable roller.
11. A foil coiling system according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the guide is curved so as to conform to the curved portion of the rolling surface of the driveable roller.
12. A foil coiling system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the driveable roller is arranged to move away from the guide in order to rotate after the leading end of the foil sheet has been received in the slot.
13. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the foil handling apparatus is arranged to move the leading end of the foil sheet at such a speed that the foil sheet is maintained in tension as the foil sheet is expelled from the foil mill.
14. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the foil wrapping apparatus includes at least one deflection element for deflecting the foil sheet onto the foil coiling apparatus.
15. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the foil wrapping apparatus includes at least one guiding element for pressing the foil sheet onto the foil coiling apparatus.
16. A foil coiling system according to claim 15, wherein the at least one guiding element includes at least one guide roller.
17. A foil coiling system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the at least one guiding element is arranged to be selectively moveable toward or away from the foil coiling apparatus.
18. A foil coiling system according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the foil coiling apparatus comprises an elongate foil coiling roller and the foil wrapping apparatus is arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the foil coiling roller such that the at least one guiding element is movable around the curved surface of the foil coiling roller in order to wrap the foil sheet around the foil coiling roller.
19. A foil coiling system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the foil wrapping apparatus comprises a frame which is substantially C-shaped in section.
20. A foil mill system, comprising a foil mill and a foil coiling system according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 25 21. Foil handling apparatus for a foil coiling system, comprising an elongate driveable roller including a longitudinal slot for receiving a leading end of a foil sheet when expelled from a bite of a foil mill, wherein the driveable roller is arranged to rotate in order to grab the received leading end and the foil handling apparatus is arranged to move the received leading end to extend the foil sheet.22. Foil wrapping apparatus for a foil coiling system, comprising: at least one deflection element for deflecting a foil sheet onto an elongate foil coiling roller; a cutter for providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet; and at least one guiding element for pressing the foil sheet onto the foil coiling roller; wherein the foil wrapping apparatus is arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the foil coiling roller such that the at least one guiding element is movable around the curved surface of the foil coiling roller in order to wrap the foil sheet around the foil coiling roller.23. An automated method of coiling a foil sheet, comprising: expelling a leading end of the foil sheet from a foil mill; grabbing the leading end and moving the leading end so as to extend the foil sheet; guiding the foil sheet onto foil coiling apparatus; providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet; wrapping the foil sheet around at least a portion of the foil coiling apparatus; and rotating the foil coiling apparatus in order to coil the wrapped foil sheet around the foil coiling apparatus.24. An automated method according to claim 23, comprising moving the leading end of the foil sheet at such a speed that the foil sheet is maintained in tension as the foil sheet is expelled from the foil mill.25. An automated method according to any preceding claim, wherein providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet comprises cutting the foil sheet.26. An automated method according to claim 25, comprising maintaining the foil sheet in tension as the foil sheet is cut.27. An automated method according to any preceding claim, comprising accumulating the foil sheet on a roller prior to providing the wrapping end of the foil sheet.28. An automated method according to claim 27, comprising moving the roller to an offline position away from the foil coiling apparatus after the foil sheet has been cut in order to remove the accumulated foil sheet from the roller.29. A foil coiling system, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.30. Foil handling apparatus, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.31. Foil wrapping apparatus, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.32. An automated method of coiling a foil sheet, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A foil coiling system, comprising: foil handling apparatus; foil wrapping apparatus; and foil coiling apparatus; wherein: the foil handling apparatus is arranged to receive a leading end of a foil sheet when expelled from a bite of a foil mill and move the leading end so as to extend the foil sheet over the foil coiling apparatus, the foil handling apparatus comprising a grabber, the grabber including an opening for receiving the leading end of the foil sheet and being arranged to rotate in order to grab the received leading end, the grabber comprising an elongate driveable roller including a longitudinal slot for receiving the leading end of the foil sheet and a rolling surface for accumulating the foil sheet; (r) 15 the foil wrapping apparatus includes at least one deflection element for deflecting the foil sheet onto the foil coiling apparatus, means for providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet, and at least one guiding element for pressing the foil sheet onto the foil coiling apparatus, and wrapping the foil sheet around at CO least a portion of the foil coiling apparatus; and the foil coiling apparatus is arranged to rotate in order to coil the wrapped foil sheet around the foil coiling apparatus.2. A foil coiling system according to claim 1, wherein the foil wrapping apparatus comprises cutting means to cut the foil sheet in order to provide the said wrapping end of the foil sheet.3. A foil coiling system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driveable roller is movable to an offline position away from the foil wrapping apparatus in order to remove the accumulated foil sheet from the driveable roller.4. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the slot extends through the thickness of the driveable roller.5. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the driveable roller is arranged to be driven by a motor via a drive belt.6. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the entire rolling surface of the driveable roller is curved.7. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the rolling surface of the driveable roller comprises a curved portion and a flat portion.8. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, including a guide for guiding the leading end of the foil sheet from the bite of the foil mill into the slot of the driveable roller.9. A foil coiling system according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 7, (r) 15 wherein at least a portion of the guide is curved so as to conform to the curved portion of the rolling surface of the driveable roller. (.010. A foil coiling system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the driveable roller CO is arranged to move away from the guide in order to rotate after the leading end of the foil sheet has been received in the slot.11. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the foil handling apparatus is arranged to move the leading end of the foil sheet at such a speed that the foil sheet is maintained in tension as the foil sheet is expelled from the foil mill.12. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one guiding element includes at least one guide roller.13. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one guiding element is arranged to be selectively moveable toward or away from the foil coiling apparatus.14. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the foil coiling apparatus comprises an elongate foil coiling roller and the foil wrapping apparatus is arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the foil coiling roller such that the at least one guiding element is movable around the curved surface of the foil coiling roller in order to wrap the foil sheet around the foil coiling roller.15. A foil coiling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the foil wrapping apparatus comprises a frame which is substantially C-shaped in section.16. A foil mill system, comprising a foil mill and a foil coiling system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.17. Foil handling apparatus for a foil coiling system, comprising an elongate (r) 15 driveable roller including a longitudinal slot for receiving a leading end of a foil sheet when expelled from a bite of a foil mill, wherein the driveable roller is arranged to rotate in order to grab the received leading end and the foil handling apparatus is arranged to move the received leading end to extend the foil sheet.CO18. Foil wrapping apparatus for a foil coiling system, comprising: at least one deflection element for deflecting a foil sheet onto an elongate foil coiling roller; a cutter for providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet; and at least one guiding element for pressing the foil sheet onto the foil coiling roller; wherein the foil wrapping apparatus is arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the foil coiling roller such that the at least one guiding element is movable around the curved surface of the foil coiling roller in order to wrap the foil sheet around the foil coiling roller.19. An automated method of coiling a foil sheet, comprising: expelling a leading end of the foil sheet from a foil mill; grabbing the leading end and moving the leading end so as to extend the foil sheet; guiding the foil sheet onto foil coiling apparatus; providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet; wrapping the foil sheet around at least a portion of the foil coiling apparatus; and rotating the foil coiling apparatus in order to coil the wrapped foil sheet around the foil coiling apparatus.20. An automated method according to claim 19, comprising moving the leading end of the foil sheet at such a speed that the foil sheet is maintained in tension as the foil sheet is expelled from the foil mill.
21. An automated method according to any preceding claim, wherein providing a wrapping end of the foil sheet comprises cutting the foil sheet.
22. An automated method according to claim 21, comprising maintaining the foil sheet in tension as the foil sheet is cut. (.023. An automated method according to any preceding claim, comprising CO accumulating the foil sheet on a roller prior to providing the wrapping end of the foil sheet.24. An automated method according to claim 23, comprising moving the roller to an offline position away from the foil coiling apparatus after the foil sheet has been cut in order to remove the accumulated foil sheet from the roller.25. A foil coiling system, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.26. Foil handling apparatus, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.27. Foil wrapping apparatus, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.28. An automated method of coiling a foil sheet, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.CDCDCO