US3063214A

US3063214A - Roll wrapping machine

Info

Publication number: US3063214A
Application number: US128723A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr O N Ellman
Original assignee: VALLEY IRON WORKS CORP
Current assignee: VALLEY IRON WORKS CORP
Priority date: 1961-08-02
Filing date: 1961-08-02
Publication date: 1962-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 1979-11-13
Also published as: GB961790A

Description

Nov. 13, 1962 o, N, ELLMAN, JR 3,063,214

ROLL WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov, 13,1962 o. N. ELLMAN, JR 3,063,214

ROLLAWRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1961 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States This invention relates to wrapping machines. More particularly, this invention relates to a new and improved machine for wrapping large cylindrical articles in a wrapper having overh-anging portions and smoothly crimping the overhanging portion against the end faces of the article.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved wrapping machine utilizing a new and novel crimping assembly that substantially eliminates sliding friction in the crimping operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved wrapping machine for wrapping large diameter cylindrical articles having two horizontally movable and opposing rotating crimping assemblies mounted and driven on a common and vertically adjustable shaft.

Another object of this invention is to provide -a new and improved wrapping machine having means for -quickly and easily moving one of the crimping assemblies toward or vfrom a relatively stationary crimping assembly.

Another object of this invention is Vto provide acrimp- `ing head which, irrespective of the greater or lesser stiffness of the wrapper material, will provide a smooth and uniform crimped edge portion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new 'and improved crimping head` which is adaptable for cylindrical articles of diiferent lengths and diameters.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved wrapping machine for rapidly Wrapping and crimping lcylindrical articlesl that is simple in design, economical to manufacture, and versatile in operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent as the following description is read in light of the raccompanying drawings wherein:

FIGS. l, 2 and 3 are side, top and front views, respectively, showing a portion of a wrapping machine embodying the present invention; and

'FIGS 4, S, 6 and 7 show various crimping assembly arrangements vwithin the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a wrapping machine according to the present invention generally comprises `spaced lloor mounted base members 10, outwardly extending support arms 12 pivotally attached to each base member 1t), means such as rams 14jfor providing-an `arcuatedisplacement of theV support arms 12 relative to the floor 30, a shaft11 extending between the outermost -portions of support arms 12, iirst and second crimping assemblies 19, slidably mounted on the shaft 11 for rotation therewith, independently operable means 50, 55 nfor axiallyl shifting the crimping assemblies 19, 20 toward and from each other, means -for supporting a' cylindrical v ICC article and imparting thereto a rotating movement about its axis.

Each base member 10 comprises a door mounted vertically extending housing having side, front and

rear wall members

16, 17, 18, respectively. An opening 26 is defined in the upper portion of front Wall member 17. coaxial apertures 27 are dened in each side wall portion ladjacent to the front wall opening 26.

Each supporting arm 12 includes a rearwardly extending crank portion 13 and an aperture 15. Each arm 12 is disposed in op-ening 26 and is pivotally mounted therein by pin 28 inserted through the two coaxial side wall apertures 27 and arm aperture 15. Suitable retaining means (not shown) are disposed -at the ends of pin 28 to prevent accidental removal thereof. Crank portion 13 of arm 12 extends into the interior of base member 10. Arcuate displacing means ksuch as a vdouble acting ram 14 is pivotally connected tocrank 13 and to base member 10 by means of pins 23. Actuation of ram 14 rotates arm 12 about pin 28 causing arm 12 to raise or lower relative to the surface of oor 30.

Shaft 11 extends between the arms 12 and is rotatably mounted thereon adjacent the ends thereof. .Variable drive means, such as a variable speed motor 32, is mounted on a base mem-ber 10 and is connected to shaft 11 by positive ydrive means such as a roller chain 33l connecting motor sprocket 34 with shaft sprocket 35.

First crimping assembly 19 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) in cludes a bearing 40, a hub 41, and a plurality of rollers and

segmental plates

42, 43 attached to and extending radially outward from the hub 41. As viewed in FIG. 4, first crimping assembly'19 is rotated counterclockwise. The hub 41 is provided with a central -bore 44 having means such as splines 45 defined therein for cooperation with corresponding means such as splines 46 defined on shaft 11 so that hub 41 can slide along shaft 11.

The rollers 42 and segmental plates 43 are alternately attached to the hub 41 and extend radially outward therefrom. The rollers 42 having rounded outer ends are attached to hub 41 and delineate a rotating orbital path about the rotational axis of the shaft 11. The rounded ends of rollers 42 prevent tearing the wrapper during the wrapping operation. It should be noted that it is the function of the rollers 42 to do the crimping whereas it is the function of the plates 43 to prevent the crimped overhang from opening due to the inherent resiliency of paper.

The segmental plates 43 are attached to the hub 41 by suitable means such as bolts (not shown). The leading edge 47 of each plate 43 is disposed adjacent the trailing surface of each roller 42 and extends radially outward from the hub `41 terminating short of the radially outward end of each roller 42. The trailing edge 48 of the plate 43 is disposed adjacent the leading surface of each roller 42 and extends radially outward from the hub 41 less than the leading edge 47. The peripheral edge 49 of each plate 43 is arcuate and provides a smooth peripheral transition between the leading and

trailing edges

47, 48, respectively, of each plate 43.

Second crimping assembly 26 is similar to assembly 19, being disposed on shaft 11 facing assembly 19 and rotated in the same direction.

The crimping assemblies 19, 20 are biased against the ends of the cylindrical article, and being rotated about their own axis, crimp the overhanging portion against the ends of the article. The segmental plates 43 are disposed on the hub 41 so as to provide a small space between the ends of the cylindrical article and the surface thereof so as to prevent the crimped overhanging portion of wrapper from uncrimping. In other words, the spacing between the planes defined by the facing peripheral surfaces of the rollers 42 of assemblies 19, 20 is less than the spacing between the planes defined by the facing surfaces of the `segmental plates 43. To prevent the segmental plates 43 from snagging and tearing the wrapper during the crimping operation, the leading edges 47 0f the plates 43 adjacent rollers 42 are designed to minimize the gap between each roller 42 and each plate 43.

Bearing 4G are rotatably attached to hubs 41 and are fixedly associated with independently operable axial shifting means permitting hubs 41 to rotate relative to bearings 40.

The axial shifting means attached to the first crimping assembly 19 hereinafter referred to as the first axial shifting means 51 is disposed adjacent the outer end of one supporting arm 12 parallel to shaft 11 and comprises a double acting two position air cylinder 50 mounted on the outer end of the arm 12 and connected to the bearing 40. The first axial shifting means 1 actuates the first crimping assembly 19 between an inoperative and an operative position.

The axial shifting means attached to the second crimping assembly is hereinafter referred to as the second axial shifting means 52 and includes a ball screw assembly 53 comprising a ball screw shaft 54 extending between the supporting arms 12 parallel to and rearwardly of shaft 54 extending between the supporting arms 12 parallel to and rearwardly of shaft 11, and a connecting member 56, the ball screw shaft 54 being operatively connected to the second crimping assembly bearing 40 by connecting member 56. Means such as air motor 55 rotate the ball screw shaft 54, axially shifting crimping assembly 20 toward and from the first crimping assembly operative position.

As shown in FIGS. l through 3, means for supporting and rotating the cylindrical article 69 comprise a pair ofturning rolls 24 disposed in a pit 25 defined in oor 30 below and parallel to shaft 11 so that the upper surfaces of turning rolls 24 are substantially coplanar with the floor surface. Means such as plates 29, fiush with the floor, bridge the gaps between the edges of the pit and the upper surfaces of turning rolls 24 permit the cylindrical` articles to easily move onto and off of the turning rolls. Means (not shown) are provided in pit -25' for rotating one or both of the turning rolls 24.

Suitable sensing arrangements are provided to adjust the wrapping machine for accommodating cylindrical articles of different widths and diameters. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a vertical sensing arm 58, extending downwardly `from the first crimping assembly 19, is provided with a switch 59 controlling the downward movement of arms 12. As the arms 12 are rotated downward toward the door 30, the sensing arm 58 engages the periphery of the article to be wrapped, actuating the switch S9 and-stopping the downward movement of the support arms 12.

A horizontal sensing arm 60 extends inwardly from the second-crimping assembly 20 and is provided with a switch 61 controlling the axial movement of crimping assembly 20 toward the operative position of crimping assembly `19. Movement of the second crimping assembly 20 toward the first crimping assembly 19 operative posi- 4 tion causes sensing arm to engage the end of the article to be wrapped and actuates switch 61 stopping the inward movement of the second crimping assembly 20.

A wrapper sheet feeding machine (not shown) is operatively associated with the wrapping machine to feed a sheet of wrapper thereto. The wrapper feed machine dispenses, manually or automatically, the size of sheet required, applies glue to the leading and trailing edges of the wrapper, and feeds the prepared wrapper sheet to the wrapping machine so that the leading edge of the wrapper is disposed over the turning rolls 24.

In operation, a prepared wrapper equal to the axial width :of the article to be wrapped plus a predetermined amount of wrapper extension at the ends of the article is centrally disposed over the turning rolls 24 and a cylindrical article 69 is placed on the turning rolls 24. The supporting arms 12 are lowered until the vertical sensing device 58 engages the outer periphery of the cylindrical article 69 and actuates the switch 59, stopping the downward movement thereof. Piston 50 actuates the first crimping assembly 19 from its inoperative to its operative position, and the ball screw assembly 53 axially moves the second crimping assembly 20 toward the first crimping assembly 19 operative position until the horizontal sensing device 60 engages the end of the article 69 to actuate switch 61 stopping the inward movement of the second crimping assembly 20.

The turning rolls 24 and the crimping assemblies 19, 20 are actuated causing the wrapper to be wrapped therearound and crimping the overhanging portions thereof. The crimping assemblies 19, 20 are rotated about their own axis a number of revolutions equal to or greater than the revolution of the turning rolls to smoothly and evenly crimp the overhanging portion against the ends of the cylindrical article 69.

After the cylindrical article 69 is wrapped completely and the crimping operation is completed, ejector assembly 29 ejects the wrapped article outwardly from the turning rolls 24 along the floor.

If desired, an end or roll head (not shown) may be applied to the wrapped article.

It is also possible to utilize modifications of the crimping assemblies as shown in FIGS. 5, 6'and 7.

Referring to FIG; 5, crimping assembly 62' comprises a plurality of rollers'42 extending radially outward from hub 41', each roller delineating an orbital path within the-same plane about a c'ommon orbital axis.

In* FIGS. 6 and: 7, crimping lassemblies 63, 64 utilize different roller configurations in order to further reduce the friction encountered inv the crimping operation and thereby decrease the tendency of the wrapper sheet to tear. In FIG. 6, a plurality of coaxial and independently rotatable rollersv 65 permit thev radially innermost and outermost rollers to revolve a dissimilar number of revolutions andi thus provide proportional peripheral velocities to" substantially coincide with the linear velocity of the the point of contact on the end face of the cylindrical article.

In FIG. 7, rollers 66 are conical and mounted to hub 41 so that the plane of the rollers 66 crimping the wrapper is parallel to the end faces of the cylindrical article and the planev of the plates 43. The taper of the rollers 66 provides az peripheral velocity along the periphery of the rollers that substantially coincides with the linear velocity along the points of contact between the end face of the cylindricalarticles and the rollers while maintaining a uniform axial velocity.

While `a preferred embodiment, according to the present l invention, has been illustrated and described, it is under- 1. A machine for wrapping and crimping the projecting ends of wrapping material over the ends of a cylindrical article being wrapped comprising `a parallel pair of spaced turning rolls for supporting and turning said cylindrical article; driving means for driving at least one of `said turning rolls, a pair of fixed base members having pivoted support arms extending outward above and outside said turning rolls, a shaft extending between and rotatably mounted at the outer ends of said arms, shaft driving means for driving said shaft, a pair of crimping assemblies slidably associated on said shaft for rotation therewith, said crimping assemblies each including a hub, a plurality of rotatable crimping members attached to and extending outward from said hub member dening a rotary orbital axis about the rotational axis of said hub, said crimping members having an axis of rotation transverse to the plane of the axis of rotation of said hub, a bearing member connected to said hub, said hub being rotatable relative to said bearing, and means associ-ated with each of said bearing members to axially move one of said crimping units between an inoperative and operative position and axially move said other crimping unit toward and from one of said crimping assemblies operative position.

2. A machine for placing a wrapper around a cylindrical article and crimping edge portions of the wrapper overhanging the ends of the cylindrical article comprising: supporting and rotating means for supporting a cylindrical article and imparting thereto a rotating movement around its axis, means supporting a rotatable shaft above and parallel to said supporting and rotating means, means for driving said shaft, axially adjustable crimping assemblies associated with said shaft for rotation therewith, each crimping assembly including a hub having a plurality of elements extending therefrom and rotating therewith, said elements defining an orbital path concentric with the rotational axis of said shaft actuating means for axially shifting one `of said crimping assemblies between an inoperative and an operative position, and for axially moving the other of said crimping assemblies toward and from said first crimping assembly operative position, and a guiding system operative to position each of said crimping assemblies in response to said article dimensions.

3. A machine for placing 1a wrapper around a cylmdrical article and crimping edge portions of the wrapper overhanging the ends of the cylindrical article .comprising: supporting and rotating means for supporting a cylindrical article and imparting thereto a rotating movement around its axis, means supporting a rotatable shaft above and parallel to said shaft, axially adjustable crimping assemblies associated with said shaft for rotation therewith, each crimping assembly including a hub having a plurality of elements extending therefrom and rotating therewith defining Ian orbital path concentric with the rotational axis of said shaft, said elements including rotating members having a rotational axis substantially tangental and transverse to the axis of rotation of said hub, actuating means for axially shifting one of said crimping assemblies between an inoperative and an operative position, and for axially moving the yother of said crimping assemblies toward and from said first crimping assembly operative position, and a guiding system operative to position each of said crimping assemblies in response to said article dimensions.

4. A machine for placing a wrapper around a cyhndrical article and crimping edge portions of the wrapper overhanging the ends of the cylindrical article comprising: supporting and rotating means for supporting a cylindrical article and imparting thereto a rotating movement around its axis, means supporting a rotatable shaft above and parallel to said supporting and rotating means, means for driving said shaft, axially adjustable crimping assemblies associated with said shaft for rotation therewith, each crimping assembly including a hub having a plurality of elements extending therefrom and rotating therewith defining an orbital path concentric with the rotational axis of said shaft, said elements including alternate rotatable members having an axis of rotation substantially tangental and transverse to the axis of rotation of said hub and alternate segmental plates extending radially outward between said rotatable member, actuating means for axially shifting one of said crimping assemblies between an inoperative and an operative position, and for axially moving the other of said crimping lassemblies toward and from said first crimping assembly operative position, and a guiding system operative to position each of said crimping assemblies in response to said article dimensions.

5. A machine for placing a wrapper around a cylindrical article and crimping edge portions of the wrapper overhanging the ends of the cylindrical article comprising: supporting and rotating means for supporting a cylindrical article and imparting thereto a rotating movement around its axis, means supporting a rotatable shaft above and parallel to said supporting and rotating means, means for driving said shaft, axially adjustable crimping assemblies associated with said shaft for rotation therewith, each crimping assembly including a hub having a plurality of elements extending therefrom and rotating therewith defining an orbital path concentric with the rotational axis of said shaft, said elements including rotatable members each comprising a plurality of rollers coaxially mounted on a single shaft for independent rotation therein, actuating means for axially shifting one of said crimping assemblies between an inoperative and an operative position, and for axially moving the other of said crimping assemblies toward and from said first crimping assembly operative position, and a guiding system operative to position each of said crimping assemblies in response to said article dimensions.

6. A machine for placing a wrapper around a cylindrical article and crimping edge portions of the wrapper overhanging the ends of the cylindrical article comprising: supporting and rotating means for supporting a cylindrical article and imparting thereto a rotating movement around its axis, means supporting a rotatable shaft above and parallel to said supporting and rotating means, means for driving said shaft, axially adjustable crimping assemblies associated with said shaft for rotation therewith, each crimping assembly including a hub having a plurality of elements extending therefrom and rotating therewith defining an orbital path concentricwith the rotational axis of said shaft, said elements including tapered rollers attached to said hub, said rollers being attached to said hub so that the plane delineated by the peripheral surfaces of said roller contacting the article end face is parallel to the plane delineated by said segmental plates, actuating means for axially shifting one of said crimping assemblies between an inoperative and an operative position, and for axially moving the other of said crimping assemblies toward and from said first crimping assembly operative position, and a guiding system operative to position each of said crimping assemblies in response to said article dimensions.

7. A machine for placing a wrapper around a cylindrical article and crimping edge portions of the wrapper overhanging the ends of the cylindrical article comprising: supporting and rotating means for supporting a cylindrical article and imparting thereto a rotating movement around its axis, means supporting a rotatable shaft above and parallel to said supporting and rotating means, means for driving said shaft, axially adjustable crimping assemblies associated with said shaft for rotation therewith, each crimping assembly including a hub having a plurality of elements extending therefrom and rotating therewith defining an orbital path concentric with the rotational axis of said shaft, said elements including tapered rollers attached to said hub, said rollers being attached to said llel to the plane delineated by said segmental plates, and

the linear velocities along the points of contact of the tapered roller and the end face of the;` cylindrical article are substantially uniform, actuating means for axially shifting one of said crimping assemblies: between an inoperative and an`- operative position, and for axially moving the other of said crimping assemblies toward and from said first crimping assembly operative position, and a guiding system operative to position each of said crimping assemblies in response to said article dimensions.

8. machine for placing a wrapper around a cylindrical article and crimping edgel portions of the Wrapper overhanging the ends of the cylindrical article comprising: supporting and rotating means for supporting a cylindrical article and imparting thereto a rotating movement around its axis, means supporting a rotatable shaft above and parallel to said supporting and rotating means, means for driving7 said shaft, axially adjustable crimping assemblies associated with said shaft for rotation therewith, each crimping assembly including ay hub having an element extending therefrom andY rotating therewith; said element` dening anV orbital path concentric with thegrotational axis" of said shaft', actuating means for axially shifting one of said crimping assemblies between an inoperative and an operative position; and for axially moving the other of saidy crimping assembliesI toward and from said first crimping assembly operative position, and a guiding system operative to position each of said crimping assembliesv in response to saidarticle dimensions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS