SE2050322A1 - Receiving station of paper roll conveyor and method for roll feeding - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

Receiving station of paper roll conveyor andmethod for roll feeding Background of the invention The invention relates to handling of paper rollswhich are transferred by means of a conveyor. Especiallythe invention relates to feeding of the paper rolls on theconveyor at a paper mill.

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

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

Paper rolls are transferred at paper mills and otherproduction plants and sites by means of conveyors, such as belt conveyors, chain conveyors, and slat or lamella con-veyors. Feeding of rolls standing on their cylinder surfacesmay be executed by rolling the paper rolls at a receivingstation on a transverse sloping surface to the conveyor.Size of the paper rolls becomes larger and larger and cause problems at the receiving stations.

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

The receiving station according to the invention ischaracterized by the characterizing features of an inde-pendent apparatus claim.

The method according to the invention is character-ized by the charactering features and steps of an independ-ent method claim.

An idea of the disclosed solution is that paperi.e. rolls standing on their sides, on their cylinder sur- faces, are fed at a receiving station on a paper roll con-veyor for transferring them to desired operational stations or target positions. lO The receiving station comprises a conveyor capable of carrying paper rolls on it. The conveyor forms atransport track and is configured to move towards transportdirection. The receiving station further comprises a roll-ing surface on a side of the conveyor. Longitudinal direc-tion of the rolling surface is transverse relative to thedirection of the conveyor. The rolling surface is also in-clined relative to the horizontal plane. Then the rollingsurface slopes towards the transport track and allows thepaper rolls standing on their cylinder surfaces to roll onthe rolling surface towards the transport track. Further-more, the rolling surface is at least partly movable invertical direction. Then at least a first end of the rollingsurface closest to the conveyor is movable to an elevatedfeed position for feeding paper rolls, and to a loweredtransport position for transporting the paper rolls by meansof the conveyor.

An advantage of the disclosed solution is that sincethe present receiving station is provided with a verticallymovable component, it allows handling larger diameter paperrolls. The structure of the receiving station no longerlimits the size and diameter of the paper rolls.

At least the portion closest to the conveyor islowered after the feeding phase for the duration of thetransportation on the conveyor, wherefore the paper rollson the conveyor cannot contact the rolling surface. Thisway the solution prevents sides of large dimensioned paperrolls from getting rubbed against the rolling surface duringthe transportation on the conveyor.

Further, the solution is advantageous also when han-dling rolls of soft paper qualities. These soft rolls typ-ically flatten at their lower portion, and because of thisflattening phenomenon more free space is required on theside of the conveyor. Thanks to the lowering feature of therolling surface, soft rolls may also be loaded without prob- lems. The present solution is also simple and durable.

According to an embodiment, since the rolls are rolling on the rolling surface because of gravity, no sep-arate transport apparatuses or actuators are needed on therolling surface. Typically the rolling surface slopes 15 mmper 1 m, but the sloping angle may vary.According to an embodiment, the disclosed receivingstation and especially the vertically movable componentsare retrofittable_in connection with the existing conveyorsand receiving stations. This way the existing receivingstations may be updated for future paper rolls with greaterdiameters.

According to an embodiment, the conveyor is stopped for the duration of the loading. Thus, the conveyor is anon-continuously running conveyor.According to an embodiment, Then, the rolling surface isa one-piece structure. the entire rolling surface ismovable vertically. The rolling surface may be supported onvertical guide elements, or alternatively the actuator pro-vides proper support for the movement.

According to an embodiment, the rolling surface isa one-piece structure and is tiltable for elevating andlowering the first end of the rolling surface. In otherwords, only the first end closest to the conveyor movesvertically, whereas the opposite end is connected to supportstructures by means of joints or hinges.

According to an embodiment, the rolling surface com-prises at least two rolling surface components, namely afirst rolling surface and a second rolling surface. Therolling surfaces are arranged successively in their longi-located tudinal direction. The first rolling surface is distally to the conveyor and is a fixed structure, whereasthe second rolling surface is located between the firstrolling surface and the conveyor. The second rolling surface is movable vertically at least partly. lO According to an embodiment, the rolling surface isa two part structure as disclosed in the previous embodi-ment. In this solution the entire second rolling surfacelocating close to the conveyor is vertically movable.

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

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

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

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

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

According to an embodiment, movement of the rollingsurface is generated by means of one or more actuators. Theactuator may be pressure medium operated or electricallyoperable. The actuator may be a cylinder or alternativelyit may be a motor connected to a næchanical transmissionmeans for converting the rotary movement into linear move-ment. Further possibility is to utilize elements which areexpanded by means of pressure medium fed inside them. Thus, the actuator may be a pneumatic bellows for example.

According to an embodiment, the receiving stationcomprises at least one actuator for generating linear move-ment. The linear actuator is connected to a transmissionmechanism comprising at least two support rollers arrangedto be moved along wedge shaped linear transfer paths under-neath a bottom surface of the rolling surface. When linearactuator is actuated, the support rollers move along thewedge surface fording the movable part of the rolling sur-face to move vertically. In this embodiment, the horizontallinear movement is converted into vertical lifting movement.Height of the disclosed lifting system is low which facil-itates its mounting below the movable part of the rollingsurface.

According to an embodiment, the lifting arrangement is as it is disclosed in the previous embodiment. The men-tioned wedge surface may be a so called coulisse elementmounted on a bottom surface of the nwvable part of therolling surface.According' to an embodiment, the above mentionedwedge surface or element may comprise horizontal end por-tions and a slanted portion between them. The horizontalends have different levels corresponding to the higher roll-ing position and lower conveying position. The slanted por-tion is configured to generate the lifting movement whenthe rollers are moved horizontally. Holding the rollingsurface at the lower level and at the higher level requiresno energy since the system.rests on horizontal end surfaces.Then no horizontal force component is generated. The dis-closed system is well suitable for heavy loads, since ver-tical forces are transmitted directly through the mechani-cal elements. The solution is næchanically simple and isalso simple to control.

According to an embodiment, the receiving stationcomprises at least one pressure medium operated bellows forgenerating the vertical movement for the rolling surface.

Then one or more pneumatic or hydraulic bellows may be lO arranged below the rolling surface or its moving part. Thebellows may be in direct contact with the bottom surface ofthe rolling surface, or alternatively, the generated move-ment of the bellows may be transmitted by means of mechan-ical transmission elements. The bellows is configures toexpand when pressurized fluid is directed inside it. Thisexpansion generates motion, which is directed to the rollingsurface. The bellows may have a tubular hose-like structureand it may be manufactured of resilient material.According to an embodiment, the receiving stationcomprises one or more electric actuators for generating theneeded movement for moving the rolling surface or part ofit vertically. The electric actuator may be a motor whichis connected by means of mechanical transmission means todirect the movement to the rolling surface. Alternativelya linear electric actuator or solenoid may be used.According to an embodiment, the conveyor for trans-porting the paper rolls or reels is a continuous transportchain provided with several lamellas on its upper surfacefacing towards the paper rolls. The lamella conveyor issometimes called also as a slat conveyor. The lamellas orslats provided on the conveyor chain may be bent and maytherefore have shape of a letter V. This kind of V-slatchain conveyor holds the paper rolls well in place duringthe transportation.the solution relates to The method According to an embodiment,a method of loading paper rolls on a conveyor.comprises stopping the conveyor for the duration of theloading. Thus the conveyor is not continuously running con-veyor. The method further comprises rolling a paper roll, which is lying on belly, freely under influence of the gravity along a sloping rolling surface towards the trans-verse conveyor at a receiving station. Thus, the rollingsurface is without any moving elements. roll The rolled paper is received on the conveyor which carries it in a lO standing state along a transport track in transport direc-tion of the conveyor. The paper roll is removed from theconveyor at a desired target station by means of suitableapparatuses. In order to prevent the handled paper rolls tobe damaged, the method further comprises lowering the roll-ing surface either entirely or part of it after the paperroll has been successively loaded on the conveyor and beforethe transport on the conveyor begins. This way at least aportion of the rolling surface closest to the conveyor ismoved from an elevated feed position to a lowered transportposition thus preventing the paper roll supported on theconveyor to be in physical contact with the rolling surface.rubbed against the rolling surface, which is moved to its retracted Then the paper rolls on the conveyor cannot be position. By implementing the present solution the rubbingproblem can be solved and handling and transporting of evenlarger dimensioned paper rolls is possible. Upper limit forthe roll diameter is no longer set by the structure of thereceiving station.

According to an embodiment, the solution comprisesproviding' vertically movable elongated. elements on bothsides of the conveyor at the receiving station. Then afirst elongated element serves as a part of the slopingrolling surface and a second elongated element opposite tothe rolling surface serves as a roll stopper element whenbeing in the elevated position. The purpose of the rollstopper element is to prevent the rolling paper roll to passover the conveyor. The solution may also comprise control-ling the actuation of the mentioned first and second ele-ments simultaneously.

According to an embodiment, the above disclosed ver-tically movable elements on both sides of the conveyor mayhave similar structure and may be symmetrically arranged.Alternatively, the rolling element and the stopping element may have different dimensioning. lO According to an embodiment, the receiving stationis without any vertically moving stopping element on theopposite side of the conveyor. Instead, the receiving sta-tion may be provided with a separate stopping arm or lever.A further alternative is to arrange separate movable stop-ping rolls or wedges on the floor level.

According to an embodiment, the receiving station may be symmetrically configured and allows thereby feedingof paper rolls in two transverse directions on the conveyor.In this embodiment the receiving station comprises slopingrolling surfaces on both sides of the conveyor. The slopingsurfaces are both in accordance with the solutions disclosedin this document and are thereby at partly vertically mov-able.According to an embodiment, the næthod disclosesretrofitting a lifting system in connection with the exist-ing receiving station and lamella chain conveyor. Then theexisting system may be updated for large dimensioned paperrolls, and also for soft paper rolls in connection whichoccurs flattening phenomenon. The retrofitting is relativeeasy and quick to execute and no modifications to the pre-sent conveyor are necessarily needed.

Let ”the it be mentioned. that in this document standing roll” means a roll lying on its side. In otherwords, the roll is standing or lying on its cylindrical sidesurface. Sometimes the side surface is also called a bellyand then the roll is lying on its belly. When the roll isin this position, it can be moved by rolling.

The above disclosed embodiments may be combined inorder to form suitable solutions having those of the above features that are needed.

Brief description of the figuresSome embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which lO Figure l is a schematic view of a receiving stationseen in longitudinal direction of a conveyor and illustrat-ing paper rolls with different diameters, Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a portion of apaper roll handling system of a paper mill, Figure 3 is a schematic top view of a chain conveyorprovided with lamellas or slats, Figure 4 is a schematic view of a receiving stationcomprising an inclined rolling surface, which is a verti-cally movable piece, Figure 5 is a schematic view of a receiving stationcomprising a tiltable rolling surface, Figure 6 is a schematic view of a receiving stationcomprising a sloping rolling surface with a fixed firstportion and a vertically movable second portion, Figure 7 is a schematic view of a receiving stationcomprising a sloping rolling surface with a fixed firstportion and a tiltable second portion, Figure 8 is a schematic view of a receiving stationcomprising vertically movable elements on both sizes of theconveyor, Figure 9 is a schematic view of a receiving stationcomprising elongated and vertically movable rolling surfaceelements on both sides of the conveyor and being providedwith bellows, Figure lO is a schematic view of a receiving stationcomprising elongated and vertically movable rolling surfaceelements on both sides of the conveyor and wherein thelifting system comprises horizontally movable rollers,Figure ll is a schematic side view of a liftingsystem of Figure lO in a lower conveyance position, andFigure l2 is a schematic side view of a liftingsystem of Figure lO in an elevated loading position.

For the sake of clarity, the figures show some em- bodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner.

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

Detailed description of some embodiments Figure 1 shows a principle of a receiving station 1comprising a conveyor 2 and rolling surface 3 transversallyto the conveyor. Paper rolls 4 are conveyed on the conveyor2 in a standing position so that their sides are towardsthe conveyor 2. The rolling surface 3 is inclined towardsthe transverse conveyor 2 and allows thereby the paper rollsto freely roll towards the conveyor 2. As can be noteddimensions D of the paper rolls 4 may vary. When a paperroll 4a with large dimension D1 is positioned on the con-veyor 2, its side surfaces may become in contact with therolling surface 3 and may damage during the transport. Theproblem is emphasized in soft paper rolls, which may flattenat their lower part due their own mass. The flatteningphenomenon is illustrated roughly by means of a broken line5 in Figure 1.

Figure 2 discloses part of a paper roll handlingsystem 6 of a paper mill. The system may comprise severalreceiving stations 1 for loading the paper rolls 4 on theconveyor 2 and one or more target stations 7 for unloadingthe paper rolls 4 from the conveyor 2. The conveyor 2 isrunning continuously but it is stopped for the duration ofthe loading and unloading. The conveyor 2 forms a transversetrack provided with transport direction A.

The rolling surfaces 3 of the receiving stations 1may comprise portions 3b adjacent the conveyor 2 which maybe lifted and lowered. On the opposite side of the conveyor2 may be vertically movable stopping elements 18. The por-tions 3b and the elements 18 may operate simultaneously.

Operation of the system 6 may be controlled undercontrol of a control unit CU.

Figure 3 discloses part of a chain conveyor 2 com- prising at least two chains 10a, 10b and several transverse lO ll lamellas ll between the chains. Upper surfaces of the la-mellas ll are against the paper rolls being transferred.The lamellas ll may have bendings l2 at their middle so thatthe lamellas ll have a shape of a letter V. The lamellas llmay also be called as slats and the entire conveyor may thenbe known as a V-slat conveyor. Length of the lamellas lli.e. width of the conveyor 2 is typically relatively small,and therefore the above disclosed problem relating to rub-bing of the paper rolls against the rolling surface adjacentthe conveyor is emphasized when the slat conveyors are im-plemented.

Figure 4 discloses a receiving station l whereinthe entire slanted rolling surface 3 is moved vertically bymeans of one or more actuators l3. The actuators l3 may behydraulic cylinders or alternatively expanding elementssuch as bellows l4 may be implemented. When the rollingsurface is in its elevated position, the paper roll 4 mayroll on it towards the conveyor 2. On the opposite side ofthe conveyor 2 may be a stopping device l5 for ensuring thatthe paper roll 4 is placed on the conveyor in a controlledmanner.

Figure 5 discloses a receiving station l whereinthe rolling surface 3 is connected by means of a joint l6to a floor structure l7. Then the rolling surface 3 mayturned relative to the joint l6 by means of an actuator.The actuator may be an electrically or pressure medium op-erated turning motor or linear actuator. The rolling surface3 may be turned between its upper rolling position and lowertransport position.

Figure 6 discloses a receiving station l whereinthe rolling surface 3 comprises two successive parts 3a and3b. A fixed first rolling surface 3a may be part of thefloor structure l7 and may be made of concrete. A secondrolling surface 3b may be moved vertically between a rolling and transport position.

BO 12 Figure 7 discloses a receiving station 1 which dif-fers from the one shown in Figure 6 only in that the secondrolling surface Bb is connected to the fixed rolling surfacepart Ba by means of a joint 16.be tilted relative to the joint 16.

The second part Bb may then Figure 8 discloses a receiving station 1 which cor-responds to the one shown in Figure 6. However, the solutioncomprises two vertically movable surfaces Bb and 18 arrangedon opposite sides of the conveyor 2. The surface 18 may havea substantially similar structure and operation as the sec-ond rolling surface Bb. The surface 18 may stabilize thepaper roll during the loading and may be lowered before theconveyor 2 starts moving.

Figure 8 further discloses by means of broken linesthat it may be possible to implement the solution of Figure8 for feeding paper rolls in two transverse directions.

Figure 9 discloses basic structure of a receivingstation 1 provided with vertically movable surfaces Bb and18 of both sides of the conveyor 2. The surfaces Bb and 18may have a cross sectional profile that corresponds sub-stantially an inverted letter U. Under the næntioned U-profiles may be arranged bellows 19 which may expand whenpressurized fluid is fed inside them. The expansion causesthe U-profiles to move vertically relative to the conveyor2 and a fixed rolling surface part Ba.

Figure 10 discloses a basic structure of a receivingstation wherein the vertically movable surfaces Bb and 18are supported on rollers 20. The rollers 20 are movablelinearly in horizontal direction as it is shown in Figures11 and 12. faces 21 and the linear movement of the rollers 20 is con- The rollers 20 are supported against wedge sur- figured to force the surfaces Bb and 18 to move vertically.At the ends of the wedge surfaces 21 may be horizontalportions 21a, 21b which correspond to upper and lower po-sitions of the surfaces Bb and 18. The rollers 20 may be moved by means of one or more linear actuators 22, such as 13cylinders. An advantage of this solution is that externalpower is needed only when the rollers 20 are moved alongthe wedge shaped surface. When the rollers 20 are against2lb, transmitted through them vertically and no linear force the horizontal portions 2la, the vertical forces arecomponents occur.

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

The drawings and the related description are onlyintended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In itsdetails, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims (12)

lO l4

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

2. The receiving station as claimed in claim l,characterized in that the rolling surface (3) comprises at least two roll-ing surface components, namely a first rolling surface (3a) and a second rolling surface (3b) arranged successively in their longitudinal direction; the first rolling surface (3a) is located distallyto the conveyor and is a fixed structure;the second rolling surface (3b) is located between the first rolling surface (3a) and the conveyor (3b) and is movable vertically at least partly.

3. The receiving station as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the second rolling surface (3b) is tiltable so thatthe first end closest to the conveyor (2) is movable ver- tically.

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

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

6. The receiving station as claimed in any one ofcharacterized in that(3b) steel plate nmterial and is provided with at least one the preceding claims 2 - 5,the movable second rolling surface is made oflongitudinal bent portion at its longitudinal edge closestto the conveyor (2).

7. The receiving station as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, cï1arzact the actuator comprises at least oneactuator for generating linear movement;(22) mechanism comprising at least two support rollers is connected to a transmission(20)ranged to be moved along wedge shaped linear transfer paths(21)3b);

8.]f_ underneath a bottom surface of the rolling surface (3, and 16the linear movement of actuator (22) and the trans-mission mechanism is configured to move the rolling surface(3, 3b) at least partly.8. The receiving station as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims 1 - 7, cl1arzact vertical movement for the rolling surface (3, pressure medium operated bellows for generating the 3b).

9. The receiving station as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims 1 - 8, cl1arzact the conveyor (2)10b) surface facing towards the paper rolls is a continuous transport chainprovided with several lamellas (11)(4). (10a, on its upper

10. A method of loading paper rolls (4)(2),stopping the conveyor (2) on a con-veyor wherein the method comprises:for the duration of theloading; rolling a standing paper roll (4) freely under in-fluence of the gravity along a sloping rolling surface (3)towards the transverse conveyor (2) (l); at a receiving stationand receiving the rolled paper roll (4) on the conveyor(2) and carrying it in a standing state along a transporttrack in transport direction (A) of the conveyor (2);cl1a1fact:eri_ze<í bylowering the rolling surface (3) at least partlyafter the paper roll (4) has been loaded on the conveyor(2) and before the transport on the conveyor (2) begins,whereby at least a portion of the rolling surface (3) clos-est to the conveyor (2) is nwved from an elevated feed position to a lowered transport position. 17

11. ll. The method of claim lO, cl1arzact providing vertically movable elongated elements (Bb, 18) station, on both sides of the conveyor (2) at the receivingwhereby a first elongated element serves as a part(3b)element opposite to the rolling surface serves as a roll (18) of the sloping rolling surface and a second elongated stopper element when being in the elevated position.

12. The method of claim lO or ll,i ze cl1ar~acrte:r- retrofitting a lifting system in connection withthe existing receiving station (l) and lamella chain con- veyor (2).