US20140138211A1 - Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products - Google Patents
Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products Download PDFInfo
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- US20140138211A1 US20140138211A1 US13/680,276 US201213680276A US2014138211A1 US 20140138211 A1 US20140138211 A1 US 20140138211A1 US 201213680276 A US201213680276 A US 201213680276A US 2014138211 A1 US2014138211 A1 US 2014138211A1
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- Prior art keywords
- conveyor
- absorbent products
- rolled absorbent
- conveyed
- rolled
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/14—Packaging paper or like sheets, envelopes, or newspapers, in flat, folded, or rolled form
- B65B25/146—Packaging paper or like sheets, envelopes, or newspapers, in flat, folded, or rolled form packaging rolled-up articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G37/00—Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes
- B65G37/02—Flow-sheets for conveyor combinations in warehouses, magazines or workshops
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
- B65G47/53—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices between conveyors which cross one another
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
- B65G47/68—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
- B65G47/682—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor from a single conveyor lane consisting of one conveyor or several adjacent conveyors
- B65G47/684—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor from a single conveyor lane consisting of one conveyor or several adjacent conveyors with recirculation of articles forming a buffer
Definitions
- the invention relates to the field of conveying rolled absorbent products. More particularly the invention relates to the field of conveying and optionally wrapping, and sealing, multiple rolls of absorbent products.
- absorbent paper products find many uses in the home. For example absorbent paper products can be delivered on rolls, such as for bath tissue (e.g. toilet paper), and paper towels. Manufacturers often make and sell rolled paper products in packages containing multiple rolls. Such packages are usually sold in a form involving a plastic, sealed overwrap. The plastic sealed wrapping can seal a single roll of absorbent paper products, or it can seal multiple rolls of absorbent paper products.
- bath tissue e.g. toilet paper
- Manufacturers often make and sell rolled paper products in packages containing multiple rolls. Such packages are usually sold in a form involving a plastic, sealed overwrap.
- the plastic sealed wrapping can seal a single roll of absorbent paper products, or it can seal multiple rolls of absorbent paper products.
- the process of wrapping and sealing rolls of absorbent paper products often involves changing the direction of product flow of finished rolled absorbent products.
- one or more rolls of absorbent paper products can be wrapped by being enclosed in a tubular wrap of polymer film, which must be sealed at one or both ends of the package.
- Current sealing equipment is designed such that a wrapped roll of absorbent product (or multiple rolls of absorbent product) in which the wrapped rolls are oriented and conveyed in one direction must be transferred to move in a different direction, such as an orthogonal, direction to have the ends sealed.
- the necessary diverting involved in transferring rolled absorbent paper products in a 90° angle conveying operation necessarily results in an “L-shaped” conveying path.
- the L-shaped conveying path has several disadvantages. First the L-shaped conveying path requires significant floor space. Second, the floor space is taken in two dimensions so to speak, such that an addition to a module at any portion of the conveyor requires the entire conveyor to change in two dimensions. Thirdly, when such an L-shaped configuration is utilized, the change in direction is necessary even for “naked” rolls, that is, rolls that are not being wrapped and sealed prior to being bundled or case packed, as is known in the art. Unwrapped, naked rolls can become unstable when conveyed in a transfer operation in which the direction of conveyance is changed.
- a conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products can include a first conveyor and a second conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products.
- the rolled absorbent products can be either partially wrapped or naked, the naked rolls being conveyed in streaming, side-by-side relationship.
- the first and second conveyors can each have a centerline parallel to a direction of movement, wherein each of the first and second conveyor centerlines are aligned.
- a first transfer device can be operatively coupled to the first conveyor, the first transfer device capable of diverting at least a portion of the partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the first conveyor to another conveyor for moving the diverted rolled absorbent products to a subsequent unit operation, such as package sealing.
- the un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products including at least a portion of the naked rolls can be conveyed to the second conveyor.
- rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from the first conveyor to the subsequent unit operation.
- FIG. 1 is a plan schematic view of a prior art method and system for conveying absorbent rolled products.
- FIG. 2 is a plan schematic view of a method and system for conveying absorbent rolled products.
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the conveyor of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention.
- the present invention is a method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products that optionally may be wrapped and sealed prior to being conveyed to a case packer for shipping to a retail customer.
- a plurality of individual rolled absorbent products such as toilet paper, or paper towels
- the case can be, for example, a cardboard box in which the plurality of naked rolls of rolled absorbent product are placed for shipping to a retail customer.
- the individual rolled products can themselves be wrapped and sealed in a polymer film wrapping prior to being packed for shipping to a retail customer.
- Rolled absorbent products can be individually wrapped and sealed, or a plurality of rolled absorbent products can be wrapped and sealed inside a single wrapper prior to being packed for shipping to a retail customer.
- Such packs for example two rolls of paper towels wrapped and sealed together in a polymer film wrapping, are well known in the art.
- a typical wrapping and sealing operation 1 for rolled absorbent products involves an L-shaped layout of various conveyor components.
- Rolled product in the form of naked rolls can be conveyed on and in-feed conveyor system 2 in a direction shown by arrow 3 in FIG. 1 to a wrapping station 4 .
- At wrapping station 4 one or more naked rolls can be wrapped, for example, in a lap sealed tubular polymer wrap which remains open at both ends, as is known in the art.
- the wrapped rolls of absorbent product change direction at a 90° transfer unit 5 in order to be conveyed to a sealing station 6 where the open ends of the polymer wrapping can be folded and sealed.
- This operation is typically referred to as an “end seal” operation, and is well known in the art.
- a typical L-shaped layout with a traditional transfer unit can be difficult to integrate into buildings and factories. Because the conveying system extends significantly in two dimensions of floor space, the system tends to be effectively take up significant amounts of floor space. And any additions of components or unit operations into either leg of the L-shaped layout can cause the entire conveying system to necessarily be extended in two dimensions.
- FIG. 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method and system of the present invention shows a system in which both naked rolls and wrapped products can be conveyed to packing equipment, but in which naked rolls need not be diverted, but can remain in a straight line path.
- the invention allows product to be conveyed in a path that remains substantially linear unless a subsequent packaging unit operation is necessary, such as a sealing operation, in which case rolls of absorbent product (which have been wrapped but not sealed, for example) can be diverted off the linear path, operated upon, such as being sealed, and then diverted again back on to the original linear path of the first, second, or third conveyors.
- a conveying system can convey naked rolls in a linear path not involving a change of direction which can disrupt or destabilize one or more naked rolls.
- the present invention is a method and system in which products, such as rolled absorbent products, including naked rolls, can be conveyed on one or a series of conveyors, including a first conveyor 10 , a second conveyor 20 , and a third conveyor 30 , the first, second, and third conveyors being aligned generally along a common centerline 32 , with only certain rolled absorbent products being diverted off of and back on to the path of common centerline 32 via a fourth conveyor 40 .
- the first, second and third conveyors have respective centerlines, and the centerlines can be parallel.
- the respective centerlines can be aligned with one another, or any two can be aligned with each other. That is, therefore, first, second and third conveyors can be configured to have parallel centerlines such that the conveyors provide a straight path from the beginning of the first conveyor to the end of the third conveyor, but the centerlines need not be exactly aligned from one conveyor to another.
- Rolled absorbent products can be transferred in a manner to change the direction of conveyance by one or more transfer devices, including first transfer device 100 and second transfer device 500 , indicated schematically in FIG. 2 at the end of first conveyor 10 and the beginning of third conveyor 30 , respectively.
- Transfer device 100 serves to divert rolled absorbent product away from the substantially linear path of conveyance along centerline 32
- transfer device 500 serves to divert rolled absorbent product back to the substantially linear path of conveyance along centerline 32 .
- typically only wrapped, rolled absorbent product in need of end sealing need be diverted off of first conveyor 10 onto fourth conveyor 40 for folding and sealing operations to complete sealing of sealed rolled absorbent products.
- First, second, third, and fourth conveyors can be any conveyors known in the art for transporting rolled products, including products such as rolls of paper towels and/or toilet paper.
- Rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in any manner known in the art, including upright in a generally vertically oriented position, or laying down generally flat on the conveyor. As shown in FIG. 3 , for example, rolled absorbent products can be conveyed flat, that is laying down such that a cardboard tube core, if used, is generally parallel to a plane of a conveying surface.
- Rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in one or more streams of product flowing end to end, with the longitudinal axis 14 of each aligned generally parallel to a machine direction MD of conveyor flow. Longitudinal axis 14 of a rolled absorbent product can be, for example, coaxial with the center of a roll, which can be the center of a cardboard tube core.
- the invention is a conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products, including a first conveyor and a second conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products.
- the rolled absorbent products can be either partially wrapped or naked, the naked rolls being conveyed in streaming, side-by-side relationship.
- the first and second conveyors can each have a centerline parallel to a direction of movement, wherein each of the first and second conveyor centerlines are aligned.
- a first transfer device can be operatively coupled to the first conveyor, the first transfer device capable of diverting at least a portion of the partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the first conveyor to another conveyor for moving the diverted rolled absorbent products to a subsequent unit operation, such as package sealing.
- the un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products including at least a portion of the naked rolls can be conveyed to the second conveyor.
- rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from the first conveyor to the subsequent unit operation.
- the invention is a conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products, including a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a third conveyor.
- the first, second, and third conveyors can each have a centerline parallel to a direction of movement, and each of the first, and second, and third conveyor centerlines can be aligned.
- a first transfer device operatively coupled to the first conveyor can divert at least a portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products moving in a direction parallel to the centerline of the first conveyor to a fourth conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the first conveyor.
- An un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products can be conveyed to the second conveyor.
- a second transfer device operatively coupled to the fourth conveyor can divert conveyed rolled absorbent products from the fourth conveyor to the third conveyor.
- rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from the first conveyor to the third conveyor via the second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from the first conveyor and returns to the third conveyor via the fourth conveyor.
- the invention is a conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products, including a conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products.
- the rolled absorbent products can be either partially wrapped or naked, the naked rolls being conveyed in streaming, side-by-side relationship in one or more lanes.
- the conveyor can have a centerline parallel to a direction of movement.
- a transfer device can be operatively coupled to the conveyor, the transfer device capable of diverting at least a portion of the partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the conveyor to a subsequent unit operation, which can be a sealing operation.
- An un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products can be conveyed parallel to the centerline of the conveyor.
- rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path parallel to the centerline of the conveyor and past the transfer device, or in a path that at the transfer device can be diverted away from the conveyor to the subsequent unit operation.
- the conveyor shown in FIG. 3 can be any of first, second, third, or fourth conveyors, with a direction of MD flow as shown by arrow 3 .
- the conveyor can be a roller conveyor, which can include driven rolls, or can be a gravity feed conveyor.
- the conveyor can be a belt conveyor utilizing an endless belt moving about a pair of end rollers.
- a plurality of rolled absorbent products 12 can be conveyed in one or more lanes 16 , the lanes being arranged adjacent to one another across the width of the conveyor, that is, in the cross machine direction CD.
- each lane of rolled absorbent product is separated from adjacent lanes by a lane separator 18 , as is known in the art.
- a lane separator 18 as is known in the art.
- three lanes of rolled absorbent products can be transported to wrapping station 4 for wrapping.
- one or more groups of adjacent rolled absorbent products can be included in each wrapped package of rolled absorbent products.
- rolled absorbent products can be conveyed on first conveyor 10 in a direction shown by arrow 10 a.
- the rolled absorbent products being conveyed on first conveyor 10 can be naked rolls or they can be wrapped rolls, including a plurality of naked rolls in a polymer over wrap.
- rolled absorbent products on first conveyor 10 can have passed through a wrapping station (not shown) in which one or more naked rolls are wrapped in a flexible polymer wrapping which can be described generally as a lap sealed tubular wrapping with open ends, as is known in the art.
- first transfer device 100 is designed to operate in conjunction with first conveyor 10 and second conveyor 20 to optionally permit rolled absorbent product to be conveyed directly along centerline 32 to second conveyor 20 , or to be diverted from first conveyor 10 to fourth conveyor 40 .
- wrapped, rolled absorbent products can be diverted onto fourth conveyor 40 to follow a direction as indicated by arrow 40 a, which aligns with the machine direction MD of conveyor 40 .
- fourth conveyor 40 conveys product away from first conveyor 10 at generally a 90° angle, that is, generally orthogonal to first conveyor 10 .
- fourth conveyor 40 can convey products at other angles other than a 90° angle.
- Transfer device 100 can include any of a variety of apparatus and methods for diverting rolled absorbent products from first conveyor 10 to fourth conveyor 40 .
- transfer device 100 diverts rolled absorbent products in a manner such that the longitudinal axes 14 of the rolled absorbent products change direction but not orientation. That is, for example, rolled absorbent products on conveyor 10 can be oriented such that the longitudinal axis 14 of each is generally parallel and aligned with centerline 32 of first conveyor 10 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the longitudinal axes 14 of the rolled absorbent products remain generally parallel to centerline 32 of first conveyor 10 and generally perpendicular to centerline 42 of fourth conveyor 40 .
- first transfer device 100 the transfer from first conveyor 10 to fourth conveyor 40 can involve a change of direction for rolled absorbent products 12 , but not a change in orientation relative to centerline 32 of system 1 .
- first transfer device 100 can utilize Active Roller Belt® (ARB) technology, marketed by Intralox LLC (www.intralox.com).
- ARB Active Roller Belt®
- An ARB process is shown schematically in FIG. 4 , and employs conveyors with embedded rollers on the conveyor surface which can be driven such that a cross-conveyor vector is produced to direct rolled absorbent products in the direction of the cross conveyor vector, such as the direction indicated by arrow 100 a in FIG. 4 .
- a supplementary corner support 44 can be utilized in the inside corner between first conveyor 10 and fourth conveyor 40 .
- Corner support 44 can be a smooth flat surface, but also can have rollers, belts, or other conveyor devices appropriately configured to facilitate movement of a package diagonally with respect to first conveyor 10 and fourth conveyor 40 .
- Embedded rollers can be situated at a 90-degree angle to the MD direction of first conveyor 10 and driven at the same speed as first conveyor 10 to provide a nominally 45-degree divert angle to fourth conveyor 40 . Different speeds and/or angles can provide a different divert angles.
- Transfer device 100 utilizing active roller belt technology can have a plurality of zones, indicated by the regions 45 enclosed by dashed lines 46 in FIG. 4 . Zones 45 represent regions of transfer device 100 where the embedded rollers can be independently driven.
- a wrapped (but not necessarily sealed) pack of rolled absorbent products When a wrapped (but not necessarily sealed) pack of rolled absorbent products is at least partially in a given zone or zones, that zone can be “turned on” (i.e. activated such that embedded rollers are started) to divert the pack in a predetermined direction.
- angled transition belts (not shown) can carry the pack to fourth conveyor 40 that can be situated at a 90-degree angle to the first conveyor 10 .
- the embedded roller zones can be “turned on” until the pack is at the desired location on fourth conveyor 40 at which time the zones can be “turned off” (i.e. embedded rollers stopped) and the pack of rolled absorbent products travels solely on, in the direction of, fourth conveyor 40 .
- FIG. 5 Another transfer device suitable for use as first transfer device 100 is shown schematically in FIG. 5 .
- the transfer device 100 shown in FIG. 5 utilizes an overhead flighted mechanism 110 to transfer rolled absorbent products from first conveyor 10 to fourth conveyor 40 , again, without changing the axial orientation of individual rolled absorbent products 12 .
- flights 112 engage a pack of rolled absorbent products on first conveyor 10 and move it in a direction indicated by arrow 110 a to transport by pushing the rolled absorbent products at an angle, and releasing them once they are on fourth conveyor 40 and ready to be transported in new direction of flow 40 a.
- the infeed conveyor that is, first conveyor 10
- first conveyor 10 is typically a belt conveyor with a surface that permits a package of rolled absorbent products to slide relatively easily when published by flights 112 .
- the transport of a package of rolled absorbent products could occur across a belt conveyor or deadplate if necessary as product moves across a corner produced by the intersection of first conveyor 10 and forth conveyor 40 .
- a supplementary corner support 44 can be utilized in the inside corner between first conveyor 10 and fourth conveyor 40 . Corner support 44 can be a smooth flat surface, but also can have rollers, belts, or other conveyor devices appropriately configured to facilitate movement of a package diagonally with respect to first conveyor 10 and forth conveyor 40 .
- the overhead flighted mechanism 110 can employ offset chains so that the flights 112 can maintain their X-Y orientation as they travel the return path.
- Overhead flighted mechanisms useful in the present invention are marketed and manufactured by Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC, www.pcmc.com).
- FIG. 6 Another transfer device suitable for use as first transfer device 100 is shown schematically in FIG. 6 .
- a rotating device 120 rotates about an axis 124 above first conveyor 10 and fourth conveyor 40 .
- Rotating device 120 includes a plurality of arms 126 , each of which have attached on a distal end thereof package engagement devices 122 .
- Rotating device 120 rotates in registration with packs of rolled absorbent products on first conveyor 10 such that package engagement devices 122 can engage a pack of rolled absorbent products as it reaches the end of first conveyor 10 and urge it to follow a path generally indicated as 120 a in FIG. 6 until it rests on and can be conveyed by fourth conveyor 40 .
- the circular motion followed by package engagement devices 122 serve to transfer packs from first conveyor 10 to fourth conveyor 40 in what can be considered the “ideal” path that minimizes the acceleration and deceleration forces on a pack of rolled absorbent products.
- First conveyor 10 and forth conveyor 40 can each be belt or flight conveyors, and the transfer could occur over a conveyor or deadplate (not shown) as described above with reference to the conveyors shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
- package engagement devices 122 can be suction cups operating to engage the top of a package of rolled absorbent products.
- the suction need not lift the pack of rolled absorbent products completely, but rather need only secure it firmly enough to be able to slide it along a path from first conveyor 10 to fourth conveyor 40 .
- the package engagement device 122 could also be a flight plate or other mechanical means for effectively engaging a package of rolled absorbent products. Whatever the package engagement device 122 , it can employ a linkage to ensure that rolled absorbent products maintain their orientation with respect to centerline 32 along the circular path (so as to not rotate the pack with respect to centerline 32 ), as shown in FIG. 6 .
- top belts 46 can be used to help secure the pack and maintain its orientation, as is known in the art.
- the example shown in FIG. 6 employs two arm mechanisms 126 , but depending on the rate at which packages of rolled absorbent products are to be transferred, there could be more or less arms 126 and more or less package engagement devices 122 per transfer device 100 .
- FIG. 7 Another transfer device suitable for use as first transfer device 100 is shown schematically in FIG. 7 .
- the transfer device 100 effects a 90-degree transfer of packages of rolled absorbent products by use of an overhead flight system designed to push rolled absorbent products orthogonally off of first conveyor 10 .
- the package of rolled absorbent products can be stopped by a back stop 132 which can be raised and lowered between first conveyor 10 and second conveyor 20 for the purpose of stopping the movement of rolled absorbent products on first conveyor 10 .
- Back stop 132 can be a rigid plate of steel or plastic and can be adjusted for different pack lengths and can serve to maintain or even correct the orientation of a package of rolled absorbent products.
- the back stop 132 can also be adjusted with respect to fourth conveyor 40 permit the delivery of the package of rolled absorbent products to fourth conveyor 40 in a centered or side justified fashion.
- a package of rolled absorbent products can be transferred to fourth conveyor 40 by an overhead flight system utilizing an overhead transfer mechanism 134 that translates in a linear fashion to push packages of rolled absorbent products from first conveyor 10 to fourth conveyor 40 .
- top belts 46 could be used to help secure the pack and maintain its orientation, as is known in the art.
- FIG. 8 Another transfer device suitable for first transfer device 100 is shown schematically in FIG. 8 .
- a transfer device 100 effects a 90° transfer by use of one or more robotic arms 140 which transfer packages of rolled absorbent products much like the flighted transfer shown and described with respect to FIG. 7 , but with more flexibility relating to the rate of motion, as well as the path of motion.
- Robotic arms 140 can have package engagement portions 142 which can be simple pushing devices or can have positive package engagement mechanisms, such as suction cups.
- the robotic arms 140 can reciprocate linearly, each raising and lowering as necessary to avoid interference one with another, to push packages which have been stopped against back stop 144 from first conveyor 10 to fourth conveyor 40 .
- a back stop 144 can be a rigid plate of steel or plastic and can be adjusted for different pack lengths and can allow delivery of the package of rolled absorbent products to fourth conveyor 40 in a centered or side justified fashion.
- top belts 46 could be used to help secure the package of rolled absorbent products and maintain its orientation.
- the robot (or robots) can be standard OEM models or custom designed, as is known in the art.
- rolled absorbent products that have been wrapped and are conveyed on first conveyor 10 can be diverted by first transfer device 100 to be conveyed away from first conveyor 10 on to fourth conveyor 40 .
- Fourth conveyor 40 can be a single, continuous conveyor curved such that it moves product away from first conveyor 10 but moves product toward third conveyor 30 .
- fourth conveyor 40 could be a U-shaped conveyor essentially of one continuous conveying path.
- fourth conveyor can include separate conveyor units as disclosed with reference to FIG. 2 .
- rolled absorbent product can be moved from first conveyor 10 to fourth conveyor 40 , specifically to outbound conveyor section 62 .
- Fourth conveyor 40 can also include an inbound conveyor segment 64 that conveys rolled absorbent product toward third conveyor 30 .
- a return segment 66 of fourth conveyor 40 transfers rolled absorbent product from outbound segment 62 to inbound segment 64 .
- a sealing station 70 can be operationally positioned on outbound segment 62 of fourth conveyor 60 for “operationally positioned” is meant the sealing station can be positioned with respect to outbound segment 62 of fourth conveyor 40 such that it is properly positioned with respect to conveyor 40 to receive the package, fold in the open ends of the wrapper, and seal the wrapper closed, including by any means known in the art for designing, setting up, and working sealing stations for wrapped products.
- the sealed package of rolled absorbent products can be conveyed via return segment 66 to inbound segment 64 of fourth conveyor 40 such that the wrapped and sealed rolled absorbent products can be diverted at second transfer device 500 onto third conveyor 30 to be conveyed in the direction indicated by arrow 30 a for final bundling or case packing, as is known in the art, for shipping to retail customers.
- second transfer device 500 can be designed to optionally permit rolled absorbent product to be conveyed in a generally orthogonal, L-shaped path from inbound leg 64 of fourth conveyor 40 onto third conveyor 30 , or to be conveyed straight from second conveyor 20 generally parallel and along centerline 32 to third conveyor 30 .
- Second transfer device 500 can be any of the transfer devices as described for transfer device 100 , including devices utilizing active roller belt technology and flighted mechanisms for positively pushing wrapped packages of rolled absorbent products onto third conveyor 30 .
- FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of a transfer device 500 utilizing Active Roller Belt® (ARB) technology technology, available from Intralox LLC.
- ARB technology employs conveyors with embedded rollers on the conveyor surface which can be driven such that a cross-conveyor vector is produced to direct rolled absorbent products in the direction of the cross conveyor vector, such as the direction indicated by arrow 500 a in FIG. 10 .
- second transfer device 500 can also utilize a flighted transfer, as shown in FIG. 11 .
- second transfer device can use overhead flights, tracks, arms, and the like as is known in the art to push a package of rolled absorbent products onto third conveyor 30 without interfering with other conveyor operations, including, in some embodiments, with naked rolls of product being transported from second conveyor 20 to third conveyor 30 .
- transfer device 100 and transfer device 500 are differences between transfer device 100 and transfer device 500 .
- third conveyor 30 in a typical operation can convey packages for additional packaging operations, including case packing for shipping to retail customers, it can be beneficial to have the wrapped absorbent products discharged from fourth conveyor 40 to be discharged in multiple width-wise (e.g., CD-oriented) lanes, such that the discharged packs are conveyed downstream at predetermined, varying distances from centerline 32 and can thus be fed to additional operations such as case packing in a width-wise distribution.
- a wrapped package such as package 12 a can be
- the method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products of the present invention has several advantages. First, the L shaped configuration of known wrapping and sealing conveying operations is eliminated. Second, the method and system of the present invention is less disruptive to conveying naked rolls to case packing operations. That is naked rolls, whether single, or multiple rolls, can be conveyed in a straight line from first conveyor 10 to second conveyor 22 third conveyor 30 , thereby experiencing no change in direction, which results in less opportunity for disruption to configurations of naked roll products prior to being packed in cases for shipping to retail customers.
Abstract
A conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products. The system can include a first conveyor and a second conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products. The rolled absorbent products can be either partially wrapped or naked. The first and second conveyors can each have aligned centerlines parallel to a direction of movement. A first transfer device can be coupled to the first conveyor for diverting at least a portion of the partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the first conveyor to another conveyor for moving the diverted rolled absorbent products to a subsequent unit operation. The un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products can be conveyed to the second conveyor. In operation rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from the first conveyor to the subsequent unit operation.
Description
- The invention relates to the field of conveying rolled absorbent products. More particularly the invention relates to the field of conveying and optionally wrapping, and sealing, multiple rolls of absorbent products.
- Absorbent paper products find many uses in the home. For example absorbent paper products can be delivered on rolls, such as for bath tissue (e.g. toilet paper), and paper towels. Manufacturers often make and sell rolled paper products in packages containing multiple rolls. Such packages are usually sold in a form involving a plastic, sealed overwrap. The plastic sealed wrapping can seal a single roll of absorbent paper products, or it can seal multiple rolls of absorbent paper products.
- The process of wrapping and sealing rolls of absorbent paper products often involves changing the direction of product flow of finished rolled absorbent products. For example one or more rolls of absorbent paper products can be wrapped by being enclosed in a tubular wrap of polymer film, which must be sealed at one or both ends of the package. Current sealing equipment is designed such that a wrapped roll of absorbent product (or multiple rolls of absorbent product) in which the wrapped rolls are oriented and conveyed in one direction must be transferred to move in a different direction, such as an orthogonal, direction to have the ends sealed.
- The necessary diverting involved in transferring rolled absorbent paper products in a 90° angle conveying operation necessarily results in an “L-shaped” conveying path. The L-shaped conveying path has several disadvantages. First the L-shaped conveying path requires significant floor space. Second, the floor space is taken in two dimensions so to speak, such that an addition to a module at any portion of the conveyor requires the entire conveyor to change in two dimensions. Thirdly, when such an L-shaped configuration is utilized, the change in direction is necessary even for “naked” rolls, that is, rolls that are not being wrapped and sealed prior to being bundled or case packed, as is known in the art. Unwrapped, naked rolls can become unstable when conveyed in a transfer operation in which the direction of conveyance is changed.
- Accordingly there is an unmet need for an improved conveying, wrapping, and sealing system for handling rolled absorbent products.
- A conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system can include a first conveyor and a second conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products. The rolled absorbent products can be either partially wrapped or naked, the naked rolls being conveyed in streaming, side-by-side relationship. The first and second conveyors can each have a centerline parallel to a direction of movement, wherein each of the first and second conveyor centerlines are aligned. A first transfer device can be operatively coupled to the first conveyor, the first transfer device capable of diverting at least a portion of the partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the first conveyor to another conveyor for moving the diverted rolled absorbent products to a subsequent unit operation, such as package sealing. The un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products including at least a portion of the naked rolls can be conveyed to the second conveyor. In operation rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from the first conveyor to the subsequent unit operation.
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FIG. 1 is a plan schematic view of a prior art method and system for conveying absorbent rolled products. -
FIG. 2 is a plan schematic view of a method and system for conveying absorbent rolled products. -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the conveyor of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is a plan schematic view of one embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention. - The present invention is a method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products that optionally may be wrapped and sealed prior to being conveyed to a case packer for shipping to a retail customer. For example, a plurality of individual rolled absorbent products, such as toilet paper, or paper towels, can be conveyed “naked”, that is in an unwrapped condition, to a case for packing and shipping. The case can be, for example, a cardboard box in which the plurality of naked rolls of rolled absorbent product are placed for shipping to a retail customer. In another example the individual rolled products can themselves be wrapped and sealed in a polymer film wrapping prior to being packed for shipping to a retail customer. Rolled absorbent products can be individually wrapped and sealed, or a plurality of rolled absorbent products can be wrapped and sealed inside a single wrapper prior to being packed for shipping to a retail customer. Such packs, for example two rolls of paper towels wrapped and sealed together in a polymer film wrapping, are well known in the art.
- In general, it is known in a conveying system for wrapping and sealing rolled absorbent products to divert one or more wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction being conveyed for wrapping, in order to seal the open ends of the wrapping. As shown in
FIG. 1 , for example, a typical wrapping and sealing operation 1 for rolled absorbent products involves an L-shaped layout of various conveyor components. Rolled product in the form of naked rolls can be conveyed on and in-feed conveyor system 2 in a direction shown byarrow 3 inFIG. 1 to awrapping station 4. Atwrapping station 4 one or more naked rolls can be wrapped, for example, in a lap sealed tubular polymer wrap which remains open at both ends, as is known in the art. To close and seal the open ends, the wrapped rolls of absorbent product change direction at a 90°transfer unit 5 in order to be conveyed to a sealing station 6 where the open ends of the polymer wrapping can be folded and sealed. This operation is typically referred to as an “end seal” operation, and is well known in the art. - As can be understood by referring to
FIG. 1 , a typical L-shaped layout with a traditional transfer unit can be difficult to integrate into buildings and factories. Because the conveying system extends significantly in two dimensions of floor space, the system tends to be effectively take up significant amounts of floor space. And any additions of components or unit operations into either leg of the L-shaped layout can cause the entire conveying system to necessarily be extended in two dimensions. - The present invention solves the drawbacks of prior art L-shaped layouts for wrapping and sealing rolled absorbent products, as well as introducing additional benefits related to handling of naked rolls. As shown in
FIG. 2 , for example, a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method and system of the present invention shows a system in which both naked rolls and wrapped products can be conveyed to packing equipment, but in which naked rolls need not be diverted, but can remain in a straight line path. The invention allows product to be conveyed in a path that remains substantially linear unless a subsequent packaging unit operation is necessary, such as a sealing operation, in which case rolls of absorbent product (which have been wrapped but not sealed, for example) can be diverted off the linear path, operated upon, such as being sealed, and then diverted again back on to the original linear path of the first, second, or third conveyors. In this manner, a conveying system can convey naked rolls in a linear path not involving a change of direction which can disrupt or destabilize one or more naked rolls. As discussed more fully below, in an embodiment, the present invention is a method and system in which products, such as rolled absorbent products, including naked rolls, can be conveyed on one or a series of conveyors, including afirst conveyor 10, asecond conveyor 20, and athird conveyor 30, the first, second, and third conveyors being aligned generally along acommon centerline 32, with only certain rolled absorbent products being diverted off of and back on to the path ofcommon centerline 32 via afourth conveyor 40. In general, the first, second and third conveyors have respective centerlines, and the centerlines can be parallel. In addition, the respective centerlines can be aligned with one another, or any two can be aligned with each other. That is, therefore, first, second and third conveyors can be configured to have parallel centerlines such that the conveyors provide a straight path from the beginning of the first conveyor to the end of the third conveyor, but the centerlines need not be exactly aligned from one conveyor to another. - Rolled absorbent products can be transferred in a manner to change the direction of conveyance by one or more transfer devices, including
first transfer device 100 andsecond transfer device 500, indicated schematically inFIG. 2 at the end offirst conveyor 10 and the beginning ofthird conveyor 30, respectively.Transfer device 100 serves to divert rolled absorbent product away from the substantially linear path of conveyance alongcenterline 32, andtransfer device 500 serves to divert rolled absorbent product back to the substantially linear path of conveyance alongcenterline 32. In operation, typically only wrapped, rolled absorbent product in need of end sealing need be diverted off offirst conveyor 10 ontofourth conveyor 40 for folding and sealing operations to complete sealing of sealed rolled absorbent products. - First, second, third, and fourth conveyors can be any conveyors known in the art for transporting rolled products, including products such as rolls of paper towels and/or toilet paper. Rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in any manner known in the art, including upright in a generally vertically oriented position, or laying down generally flat on the conveyor. As shown in
FIG. 3 , for example, rolled absorbent products can be conveyed flat, that is laying down such that a cardboard tube core, if used, is generally parallel to a plane of a conveying surface. Rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in one or more streams of product flowing end to end, with thelongitudinal axis 14 of each aligned generally parallel to a machine direction MD of conveyor flow.Longitudinal axis 14 of a rolled absorbent product can be, for example, coaxial with the center of a roll, which can be the center of a cardboard tube core. - In an embodiment, the invention is a conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products, including a first conveyor and a second conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products. The rolled absorbent products can be either partially wrapped or naked, the naked rolls being conveyed in streaming, side-by-side relationship. The first and second conveyors can each have a centerline parallel to a direction of movement, wherein each of the first and second conveyor centerlines are aligned. A first transfer device can be operatively coupled to the first conveyor, the first transfer device capable of diverting at least a portion of the partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the first conveyor to another conveyor for moving the diverted rolled absorbent products to a subsequent unit operation, such as package sealing. The un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products including at least a portion of the naked rolls can be conveyed to the second conveyor. In operation rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from the first conveyor to the subsequent unit operation.
- In an embodiment, the invention is a conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products, including a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a third conveyor. The first, second, and third conveyors can each have a centerline parallel to a direction of movement, and each of the first, and second, and third conveyor centerlines can be aligned. A first transfer device operatively coupled to the first conveyor can divert at least a portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products moving in a direction parallel to the centerline of the first conveyor to a fourth conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the first conveyor. An un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products can be conveyed to the second conveyor. A second transfer device operatively coupled to the fourth conveyor can divert conveyed rolled absorbent products from the fourth conveyor to the third conveyor. In operation rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from the first conveyor to the third conveyor via the second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from the first conveyor and returns to the third conveyor via the fourth conveyor.
- In an embodiment, the invention is a conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products, including a conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products. The rolled absorbent products can be either partially wrapped or naked, the naked rolls being conveyed in streaming, side-by-side relationship in one or more lanes. The conveyor can have a centerline parallel to a direction of movement. A transfer device can be operatively coupled to the conveyor, the transfer device capable of diverting at least a portion of the partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the conveyor to a subsequent unit operation, which can be a sealing operation. An un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products, including at least a portion of the naked rolls, can be conveyed parallel to the centerline of the conveyor. In operation rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path parallel to the centerline of the conveyor and past the transfer device, or in a path that at the transfer device can be diverted away from the conveyor to the subsequent unit operation.
- The conveyor shown in
FIG. 3 can be any of first, second, third, or fourth conveyors, with a direction of MD flow as shown byarrow 3. The conveyor can be a roller conveyor, which can include driven rolls, or can be a gravity feed conveyor. The conveyor can be a belt conveyor utilizing an endless belt moving about a pair of end rollers. A plurality of rolledabsorbent products 12 can be conveyed in one or more lanes 16, the lanes being arranged adjacent to one another across the width of the conveyor, that is, in the cross machine direction CD. In an embodiment, each lane of rolled absorbent product is separated from adjacent lanes by alane separator 18, as is known in the art. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3 , three lanes of rolled absorbent products can be transported to wrappingstation 4 for wrapping. Depending on the desired configuration for a package of wrapped rolled absorbent products one or more groups of adjacent rolled absorbent products can be included in each wrapped package of rolled absorbent products. - In an embodiment, as shown with reference again to
FIG. 2 , rolled absorbent products can be conveyed onfirst conveyor 10 in a direction shown byarrow 10 a. The rolled absorbent products being conveyed onfirst conveyor 10 can be naked rolls or they can be wrapped rolls, including a plurality of naked rolls in a polymer over wrap. In an embodiment, for example, rolled absorbent products onfirst conveyor 10 can have passed through a wrapping station (not shown) in which one or more naked rolls are wrapped in a flexible polymer wrapping which can be described generally as a lap sealed tubular wrapping with open ends, as is known in the art. If the rolled absorbent products onfirst conveyor 10 are wrapped, the wrapped, rolled absorbent products can be diverted atfirst transfer device 100 in a direction away fromfirst conveyor 10, and which can be generally orthogonal to the direction offirst conveyor 10.Transfer device 100 is designed to operate in conjunction withfirst conveyor 10 andsecond conveyor 20 to optionally permit rolled absorbent product to be conveyed directly alongcenterline 32 tosecond conveyor 20, or to be diverted fromfirst conveyor 10 tofourth conveyor 40. For example, as shown inFIG. 2 , wrapped, rolled absorbent products can be diverted ontofourth conveyor 40 to follow a direction as indicated byarrow 40 a, which aligns with the machine direction MD ofconveyor 40. As shown inFIG. 2 ,fourth conveyor 40 conveys product away fromfirst conveyor 10 at generally a 90° angle, that is, generally orthogonal tofirst conveyor 10. However, in general,fourth conveyor 40 can convey products at other angles other than a 90° angle. -
Transfer device 100 can include any of a variety of apparatus and methods for diverting rolled absorbent products fromfirst conveyor 10 tofourth conveyor 40. In one embodiment of the presentinvention transfer device 100 diverts rolled absorbent products in a manner such that thelongitudinal axes 14 of the rolled absorbent products change direction but not orientation. That is, for example, rolled absorbent products onconveyor 10 can be oriented such that thelongitudinal axis 14 of each is generally parallel and aligned withcenterline 32 offirst conveyor 10, as shown inFIG. 3 . After transfer tofourth conveyor 40 bytransfer device 100, thelongitudinal axes 14 of the rolled absorbent products remain generally parallel to centerline 32 offirst conveyor 10 and generally perpendicular to centerline 42 offourth conveyor 40. In this manner, as can be understood by the description herein, the open ends of a conveyed, wrapped package are position for folding and sealing in a sealing device, as is known in the art. Therefore, in the embodiments disclosed below forfirst transfer device 100, the transfer fromfirst conveyor 10 tofourth conveyor 40 can involve a change of direction for rolledabsorbent products 12, but not a change in orientation relative to centerline 32 of system 1. - Referring back again to
FIG. 2 ,first transfer device 100 can utilize Active Roller Belt® (ARB) technology, marketed by Intralox LLC (www.intralox.com). An ARB process is shown schematically inFIG. 4 , and employs conveyors with embedded rollers on the conveyor surface which can be driven such that a cross-conveyor vector is produced to direct rolled absorbent products in the direction of the cross conveyor vector, such as the direction indicated byarrow 100 a inFIG. 4 . If necessary, asupplementary corner support 44 can be utilized in the inside corner betweenfirst conveyor 10 andfourth conveyor 40.Corner support 44 can be a smooth flat surface, but also can have rollers, belts, or other conveyor devices appropriately configured to facilitate movement of a package diagonally with respect tofirst conveyor 10 andfourth conveyor 40. Embedded rollers can be situated at a 90-degree angle to the MD direction offirst conveyor 10 and driven at the same speed asfirst conveyor 10 to provide a nominally 45-degree divert angle tofourth conveyor 40. Different speeds and/or angles can provide a different divert angles.Transfer device 100 utilizing active roller belt technology can have a plurality of zones, indicated by theregions 45 enclosed by dashedlines 46 inFIG. 4 .Zones 45 represent regions oftransfer device 100 where the embedded rollers can be independently driven. When a wrapped (but not necessarily sealed) pack of rolled absorbent products is at least partially in a given zone or zones, that zone can be “turned on” (i.e. activated such that embedded rollers are started) to divert the pack in a predetermined direction. Once that angular travel is achieved, angled transition belts (not shown) can carry the pack tofourth conveyor 40 that can be situated at a 90-degree angle to thefirst conveyor 10. The embedded roller zones can be “turned on” until the pack is at the desired location onfourth conveyor 40 at which time the zones can be “turned off” (i.e. embedded rollers stopped) and the pack of rolled absorbent products travels solely on, in the direction of,fourth conveyor 40. - Another transfer device suitable for use as
first transfer device 100 is shown schematically inFIG. 5 . Thetransfer device 100 shown inFIG. 5 utilizes an overhead flightedmechanism 110 to transfer rolled absorbent products fromfirst conveyor 10 tofourth conveyor 40, again, without changing the axial orientation of individual rolledabsorbent products 12. In thisconfiguration flights 112 engage a pack of rolled absorbent products onfirst conveyor 10 and move it in a direction indicated byarrow 110 a to transport by pushing the rolled absorbent products at an angle, and releasing them once they are onfourth conveyor 40 and ready to be transported in new direction offlow 40 a. The infeed conveyor, that is,first conveyor 10, is typically a belt conveyor with a surface that permits a package of rolled absorbent products to slide relatively easily when published byflights 112. The transport of a package of rolled absorbent products could occur across a belt conveyor or deadplate if necessary as product moves across a corner produced by the intersection offirst conveyor 10 and forthconveyor 40. For example, if necessary, asupplementary corner support 44 can be utilized in the inside corner betweenfirst conveyor 10 andfourth conveyor 40.Corner support 44 can be a smooth flat surface, but also can have rollers, belts, or other conveyor devices appropriately configured to facilitate movement of a package diagonally with respect tofirst conveyor 10 and forthconveyor 40. The overhead flightedmechanism 110 can employ offset chains so that theflights 112 can maintain their X-Y orientation as they travel the return path. Overhead flighted mechanisms useful in the present invention are marketed and manufactured by Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC, www.pcmc.com). - Another transfer device suitable for use as
first transfer device 100 is shown schematically inFIG. 6 . As shown inFIG. 6 , arotating device 120 rotates about anaxis 124 abovefirst conveyor 10 andfourth conveyor 40.Rotating device 120 includes a plurality ofarms 126, each of which have attached on a distal end thereofpackage engagement devices 122.Rotating device 120 rotates in registration with packs of rolled absorbent products onfirst conveyor 10 such thatpackage engagement devices 122 can engage a pack of rolled absorbent products as it reaches the end offirst conveyor 10 and urge it to follow a path generally indicated as 120 a inFIG. 6 until it rests on and can be conveyed byfourth conveyor 40. The circular motion followed bypackage engagement devices 122 serve to transfer packs fromfirst conveyor 10 tofourth conveyor 40 in what can be considered the “ideal” path that minimizes the acceleration and deceleration forces on a pack of rolled absorbent products.First conveyor 10 and forthconveyor 40 can each be belt or flight conveyors, and the transfer could occur over a conveyor or deadplate (not shown) as described above with reference to the conveyors shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 . - In an embodiment,
package engagement devices 122 can be suction cups operating to engage the top of a package of rolled absorbent products. In such an embodiment, the suction need not lift the pack of rolled absorbent products completely, but rather need only secure it firmly enough to be able to slide it along a path fromfirst conveyor 10 tofourth conveyor 40. Thepackage engagement device 122 could also be a flight plate or other mechanical means for effectively engaging a package of rolled absorbent products. Whatever thepackage engagement device 122, it can employ a linkage to ensure that rolled absorbent products maintain their orientation with respect tocenterline 32 along the circular path (so as to not rotate the pack with respect to centerline 32), as shown inFIG. 6 . At the discharge tofourth conveyor 40,top belts 46 can be used to help secure the pack and maintain its orientation, as is known in the art. The example shown inFIG. 6 employs twoarm mechanisms 126, but depending on the rate at which packages of rolled absorbent products are to be transferred, there could be more orless arms 126 and more or lesspackage engagement devices 122 pertransfer device 100. - Another transfer device suitable for use as
first transfer device 100 is shown schematically inFIG. 7 . In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7 , thetransfer device 100 effects a 90-degree transfer of packages of rolled absorbent products by use of an overhead flight system designed to push rolled absorbent products orthogonally off offirst conveyor 10. In this embodiment the package of rolled absorbent products can be stopped by aback stop 132 which can be raised and lowered betweenfirst conveyor 10 andsecond conveyor 20 for the purpose of stopping the movement of rolled absorbent products onfirst conveyor 10. Back stop 132 can be a rigid plate of steel or plastic and can be adjusted for different pack lengths and can serve to maintain or even correct the orientation of a package of rolled absorbent products. Theback stop 132 can also be adjusted with respect tofourth conveyor 40 permit the delivery of the package of rolled absorbent products tofourth conveyor 40 in a centered or side justified fashion. Once stopped againstback stop 132, a package of rolled absorbent products can be transferred tofourth conveyor 40 by an overhead flight system utilizing anoverhead transfer mechanism 134 that translates in a linear fashion to push packages of rolled absorbent products fromfirst conveyor 10 tofourth conveyor 40. At the discharge tofourth conveyor 40,top belts 46 could be used to help secure the pack and maintain its orientation, as is known in the art. - Another transfer device suitable for
first transfer device 100 is shown schematically inFIG. 8 . In the embodiment shown inFIG. 8 , atransfer device 100 effects a 90° transfer by use of one or morerobotic arms 140 which transfer packages of rolled absorbent products much like the flighted transfer shown and described with respect toFIG. 7 , but with more flexibility relating to the rate of motion, as well as the path of motion.Robotic arms 140 can havepackage engagement portions 142 which can be simple pushing devices or can have positive package engagement mechanisms, such as suction cups. Therobotic arms 140 can reciprocate linearly, each raising and lowering as necessary to avoid interference one with another, to push packages which have been stopped againstback stop 144 fromfirst conveyor 10 tofourth conveyor 40. Again, aback stop 144 can be a rigid plate of steel or plastic and can be adjusted for different pack lengths and can allow delivery of the package of rolled absorbent products tofourth conveyor 40 in a centered or side justified fashion. At the discharge tofourth conveyor 40,top belts 46 could be used to help secure the package of rolled absorbent products and maintain its orientation. The robot (or robots) can be standard OEM models or custom designed, as is known in the art. - Again referring to
FIG. 2 , rolled absorbent products that have been wrapped and are conveyed onfirst conveyor 10 can be diverted byfirst transfer device 100 to be conveyed away fromfirst conveyor 10 on tofourth conveyor 40.Fourth conveyor 40 can be a single, continuous conveyor curved such that it moves product away fromfirst conveyor 10 but moves product towardthird conveyor 30. For example,fourth conveyor 40 could be a U-shaped conveyor essentially of one continuous conveying path. However, fourth conveyor can include separate conveyor units as disclosed with reference toFIG. 2 . For example, as shown inFIG. 2 , rolled absorbent product can be moved fromfirst conveyor 10 tofourth conveyor 40, specifically tooutbound conveyor section 62.Fourth conveyor 40 can also include aninbound conveyor segment 64 that conveys rolled absorbent product towardthird conveyor 30. Areturn segment 66 offourth conveyor 40 transfers rolled absorbent product fromoutbound segment 62 toinbound segment 64. - At one of the segments of
fourth conveyor 40 there can be a sealing station where the open ends of the polymer material of the wrapped, rolled absorbent products can be closed and sealed. For example, as shown inFIG. 2 , a sealingstation 70 can be operationally positioned onoutbound segment 62 of fourth conveyor 60 for By “operationally positioned” is meant the sealing station can be positioned with respect tooutbound segment 62 offourth conveyor 40 such that it is properly positioned with respect toconveyor 40 to receive the package, fold in the open ends of the wrapper, and seal the wrapper closed, including by any means known in the art for designing, setting up, and working sealing stations for wrapped products. - Once closed and sealed, the sealed package of rolled absorbent products can be conveyed via
return segment 66 toinbound segment 64 offourth conveyor 40 such that the wrapped and sealed rolled absorbent products can be diverted atsecond transfer device 500 ontothird conveyor 30 to be conveyed in the direction indicated byarrow 30 a for final bundling or case packing, as is known in the art, for shipping to retail customers. - Like
first transfer device 100,second transfer device 500 can be designed to optionally permit rolled absorbent product to be conveyed in a generally orthogonal, L-shaped path frominbound leg 64 offourth conveyor 40 ontothird conveyor 30, or to be conveyed straight fromsecond conveyor 20 generally parallel and alongcenterline 32 tothird conveyor 30. -
Second transfer device 500 can be any of the transfer devices as described fortransfer device 100, including devices utilizing active roller belt technology and flighted mechanisms for positively pushing wrapped packages of rolled absorbent products ontothird conveyor 30. For example,FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of atransfer device 500 utilizing Active Roller Belt® (ARB) technology technology, available from Intralox LLC. As with thetransfer device 100 described above with reference toFIG. 4 , ARB technology employs conveyors with embedded rollers on the conveyor surface which can be driven such that a cross-conveyor vector is produced to direct rolled absorbent products in the direction of the cross conveyor vector, such as the direction indicated byarrow 500 a inFIG. 10 . - As with
first transfer device 100,second transfer device 500 can also utilize a flighted transfer, as shown inFIG. 11 . Thus, second transfer device can use overhead flights, tracks, arms, and the like as is known in the art to push a package of rolled absorbent products ontothird conveyor 30 without interfering with other conveyor operations, including, in some embodiments, with naked rolls of product being transported fromsecond conveyor 20 tothird conveyor 30. - One difference between
transfer device 100 andtransfer device 500 is the dimensions of a discharge area for discharging wrapped packages of absorbent product fromfourth conveyor 40 tothird conveyor 30. Becausethird conveyor 30 in a typical operation can convey packages for additional packaging operations, including case packing for shipping to retail customers, it can be beneficial to have the wrapped absorbent products discharged fromfourth conveyor 40 to be discharged in multiple width-wise (e.g., CD-oriented) lanes, such that the discharged packs are conveyed downstream at predetermined, varying distances fromcenterline 32 and can thus be fed to additional operations such as case packing in a width-wise distribution. Thus, for example, a wrapped package such as package 12 a can be - As can be understood from the description of the invention as described herein, and further with respect again to
FIG. 2 , the method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products of the present invention has several advantages. First, the L shaped configuration of known wrapping and sealing conveying operations is eliminated. Second, the method and system of the present invention is less disruptive to conveying naked rolls to case packing operations. That is naked rolls, whether single, or multiple rolls, can be conveyed in a straight line fromfirst conveyor 10 to second conveyor 22third conveyor 30, thereby experiencing no change in direction, which results in less opportunity for disruption to configurations of naked roll products prior to being packed in cases for shipping to retail customers. - The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
- Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
- While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
Claims (20)
1. A conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products, the system comprising:
a. a first conveyor and a second conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products, said rolled absorbent products being either partially wrapped or naked, said naked rolls being conveyed in streaming, side-by-side relationship, said first and second conveyors each having a centerline parallel to a direction of movement, and wherein each of said first and second conveyor centerlines is parallel; and
b. a first transfer device operatively coupled to said first conveyor, said first transfer device capable of diverting at least a portion of said partially wrapped rolled absorbent products to a fourth conveyor for moving said partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to said centerline of said first conveyor, wherein an un-diverted portion of said conveyed rolled absorbent products including at least a portion of said naked rolls is conveyed to said second conveyor;
c. wherein in operation said rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from said first conveyor to said second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from said first conveyor to said fourth conveyor.
2. The conveying system of claim 1 , wherein said fourth conveyor comprises at least two segments, including an outbound segment conveying rolled absorbent product away from said first conveyor, and an inbound segment conveying rolled absorbent product toward a third conveyor, said third conveyor also having a centerline parallel to a direction of movement, and wherein said third conveyor centerline is parallel to said first and second conveyor centerlines.
3. The conveying system of claim 2 , wherein said fourth conveyor comprises a transfer segment between said outbound segment and said inbound segment.
4. The conveying system of claim 2 , wherein said outbound segment of said fourth conveyor comprises a sealing station for sealing said wrapping on said partially wrapped rolled absorbent products.
5. The conveying system of claim 1 , wherein said first conveyor comprises a wrapping station, said wrapping station being capable of wrapping one or more rolled absorbent products.
6. The conveying system of claim 5 , wherein said fourth conveyor comprises a sealing station for sealing the ends of said partially wrapped rolled absorbent products.
7. The conveying system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second transfer devices comprise at least one embedded roller conveyor.
8. A conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products, the system comprising:
a. a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a third conveyor, said first, second, and third conveyors each having a centerline parallel to a direction of movement, and wherein each of said first, and second, and third conveyor centerlines are parallel to the other conveyor centerlines;
b. a first transfer device operatively coupled to said first conveyor, said first transfer device capable of diverting at least a portion of said conveyed rolled absorbent products moving in a direction parallel to said centerline of said first conveyor to a fourth conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to said centerline of said first conveyor, wherein an un-diverted portion of said conveyed rolled absorbent products is conveyed to said second conveyor; and
c. a second transfer device operatively coupled to said fourth conveyor, said second transfer device capable of diverting conveyed rolled absorbent products from said fourth conveyor to said third conveyor;
d. wherein in operation rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from said first conveyor to said third conveyor via said second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from said first conveyor and returns to said third conveyor via said fourth conveyor.
9. The conveying system of claim 8 , wherein said fourth conveyor comprises at least two segments, including an outbound segment conveying rolled absorbent product away from said first conveyor, and an inbound segment conveying rolled absorbent product toward said third conveyor.
10. The conveying system of claim 9 , wherein said fourth conveyor comprises a transfer segment between said outbound segment and said inbound segment.
11. The conveying system of claim 9 , wherein said outbound segment of said fourth conveyor comprises a sealing station for sealing said wrapping on said partially wrapped rolled absorbent products.
12. The conveying system of claim 8 , wherein said first conveyor comprises a wrapping station, said wrapping station being capable of wrapping one or more rolled absorbent products.
13. The conveying system of claim 12 , wherein said fourth conveyor comprises a sealing station for sealing said wrapped, rolled absorbent products.
14. The conveying system of claim 8 , wherein said first and second transfer devices comprise at least one embedded roller conveyor.
15. A conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products, the system comprising:
a. a conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products, said rolled absorbent products being either partially wrapped or naked, said naked rolls being conveyed in streaming, side-by-side relationship in one or more lanes, said conveyor having a centerline parallel to a direction of movement; and
b. a transfer device operatively coupled to said conveyor, said transfer device capable of diverting at least a portion of said partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to said centerline of said conveyor to a subsequent unit operation, or alternatively of maintaining an un-diverted portion of said conveyed rolled absorbent products, including at least a portion of said naked rolls, conveyed parallel to said centerline of said conveyor;
c. wherein in operation rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path parallel to said centerline of said conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from said conveyor to said subsequent unit operation.
16. The conveying system of claim 15 , wherein said conveyor comprises a wrapping station, said wrapping station being capable of wrapping one or more rolled absorbent products prior to said subsequent unit operation.
17. The conveying system of claim 15 , wherein said subsequent unit operation comprises a sealing station for sealing said partially wrapped rolled absorbent products.
18. The conveying system of claim 15 , wherein said transfer device comprises at least one embedded roller conveyor.
19. The conveying system of claim 15 , wherein said rolled absorbent products comprise paper towels.
20. The conveying system of claim 15 , wherein said rolled absorbent products comprise bath tissue.
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/680,276 US20140138211A1 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2012-11-19 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
MX2015006166A MX2015006166A (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-11-19 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products. |
CA2890931A CA2890931A1 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-11-19 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
EP13808295.3A EP2920094A1 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-11-19 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
PCT/US2013/070694 WO2014078828A1 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-11-19 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
US15/083,715 US9694926B2 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2016-03-29 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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---|---|---|---|
US13/680,276 US20140138211A1 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2012-11-19 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
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US15/083,715 Continuation US9694926B2 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2016-03-29 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
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US20140138211A1 true US20140138211A1 (en) | 2014-05-22 |
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US13/680,276 Abandoned US20140138211A1 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2012-11-19 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
US15/083,715 Active US9694926B2 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2016-03-29 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
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US15/083,715 Active US9694926B2 (en) | 2012-11-19 | 2016-03-29 | Method and system for conveying rolled absorbent products |
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US (2) | US20140138211A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2920094A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2890931A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2015006166A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014078828A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10501269B2 (en) * | 2013-04-16 | 2019-12-10 | Duetsche Post AG | Singulation of parcels |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104176456B (en) * | 2014-07-16 | 2016-04-06 | 北京工商大学 | Extendable conveyor structure and stacker |
US11130641B2 (en) * | 2018-12-31 | 2021-09-28 | Quadient Technologies France | System and method for transporting items to a packaging station |
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US20060030968A1 (en) * | 2004-08-04 | 2006-02-09 | Ko Clyde M | Integrated control card for conveying systems |
US20080181995A1 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2008-07-31 | Warnock Food Products, Inc. | Method of frying and drying sliced vegetables |
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US3805954A (en) * | 1972-12-18 | 1974-04-23 | Combustion Eng | Apparatus and method for conveying and manipulating sheet-like members |
US5213195A (en) * | 1989-03-08 | 1993-05-25 | Walter Sticht | Assembly line |
US5642601A (en) * | 1995-11-28 | 1997-07-01 | Greenwood Mills, Inc. | Method of forming thermal insulation |
US6622847B2 (en) * | 1996-03-15 | 2003-09-23 | Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp. | Compact article unscrambler |
WO2000066280A2 (en) * | 1999-04-30 | 2000-11-09 | Siemens Electrocom, L.P. | Item singulation system |
ITMI20011093A1 (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2002-11-23 | Ocme Srl | ORIENTATION AND DEVIATION DEVICE OF A PACKAGE ON A CONVEYOR |
JP3516343B1 (en) | 2002-06-20 | 2004-04-05 | 旭精機工業株式会社 | Transfer device and transfer system |
US7147097B2 (en) * | 2004-09-30 | 2006-12-12 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Transverse-roller-belt sorter with automated guide |
JP2008174318A (en) | 2007-01-16 | 2008-07-31 | Ito Denki Kk | Conveying module and conveying device |
GB2468855B (en) * | 2009-03-23 | 2013-02-20 | Devrone Ltd | A process |
US8684169B2 (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2014-04-01 | Itoh Denki Co., Ltd. | Transfer device |
-
2012
- 2012-11-19 US US13/680,276 patent/US20140138211A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2013
- 2013-11-19 WO PCT/US2013/070694 patent/WO2014078828A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-11-19 CA CA2890931A patent/CA2890931A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-11-19 EP EP13808295.3A patent/EP2920094A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2013-11-19 MX MX2015006166A patent/MX2015006166A/en unknown
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2016
- 2016-03-29 US US15/083,715 patent/US9694926B2/en active Active
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US4372218A (en) * | 1975-11-12 | 1983-02-08 | Jobmatic, Inc. | Transportation installation |
US20060030968A1 (en) * | 2004-08-04 | 2006-02-09 | Ko Clyde M | Integrated control card for conveying systems |
US20080181995A1 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2008-07-31 | Warnock Food Products, Inc. | Method of frying and drying sliced vegetables |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10501269B2 (en) * | 2013-04-16 | 2019-12-10 | Duetsche Post AG | Singulation of parcels |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP2920094A1 (en) | 2015-09-23 |
CA2890931A1 (en) | 2014-05-22 |
MX2015006166A (en) | 2015-08-10 |
US20160207653A1 (en) | 2016-07-21 |
US9694926B2 (en) | 2017-07-04 |
WO2014078828A1 (en) | 2014-05-22 |
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Owner name: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY, OHIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:OVERLEY, MATTHEW BERNARD;REEL/FRAME:029400/0605 Effective date: 20121108 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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