US3743197A - Method of and apparatus for handling material - Google Patents

Method of and apparatus for handling material Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3743197A
US3743197A US00172308A US3743197DA US3743197A US 3743197 A US3743197 A US 3743197A US 00172308 A US00172308 A US 00172308A US 3743197D A US3743197D A US 3743197DA US 3743197 A US3743197 A US 3743197A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
strip
web
path
moving
tube
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00172308A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
W Hawkins
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
EIDP Inc
Original Assignee
EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co filed Critical EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3743197A publication Critical patent/US3743197A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C53/00—Shaping by bending, folding, twisting, straightening or flattening; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C53/32—Coiling
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T83/00—Cutting
    • Y10T83/202—With product handling means
    • Y10T83/2066—By fluid current
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T83/00—Cutting
    • Y10T83/202—With product handling means
    • Y10T83/2074—Including means to divert one portion of product from another
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T83/00—Cutting
    • Y10T83/647—With means to convey work relative to tool station
    • Y10T83/6584—Cut made parallel to direction of and during work movement
    • Y10T83/6592—Interrelated work-conveying and tool-moving means
    • Y10T83/6595—With means to move tool laterally of feed direction during cutting

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A material handling method including a method of threading a strip of material, such as plastic film, into a pneumatic moving means including the steps of moving a web of film from a supply source along a first path by first moving means; slitting the web as it moves in the first path to form a leader strip; moving the strip in July 3,1973
  • a pneumatic moving means threadup device thrusting the leader strip into threadup position with respect to a pneumatic second moving means including at least a strip first transport tube having a strip entrance opening positioned adjacent the first path; cutting the thrust strip while it is in this threadup position; and, pulling the leading edge of the cut strip into the entrance opening of such transport tube to thread it into such pneumatic second moving means.
  • Such web handling method further includes a method of threading such strip and the web it is formed from onto a windup roll for winding thereupon including the steps of moving the strip in a second path by the pneumatic second moving means and through a strip exit opening of a strip transport tube of the pneumatic second moving means and into operative relationship with a windup roll threadup device consisting of a curved guide chute having spaced flexible members connected thereto, such flexible members being in contact with the surface of a windup roll and air currents from the exit opening of such transport tube passing along the chute surface, through the spacings of the flexible members and adjacent the roll surface to guide, pneumatically and mechanically, the leading edge of the strip into threadup position with respect to the windup roll and into contact with the surface of such windup roll; connecting the leading edge of the strip to the windup roll; pulling the strip from the transport tube or tubes through a slot therein and into a third path defined by process rolls; expanding the strip to form the full width web; moving the full width web in the third path; and, winding such web
  • Apparatus for performing the above described method.
  • This invention is a material handling method and apparatus and, more particularly, is directed to a novel method of and apparatus for (l) threading a strip formed in a web into a pneumatic moving means and for (2) threading the strip, then winding the web onto a windup roll, at high speeds.
  • a doctor then detaches the lead strip with the assistance of an air blast from a second nozzle and diverts it into the bite of the top set of calender rolls. From there, it is directed into the lower rolls by other doctor and air nozzle combinations positioned at the exit ends of the rolls. After it is running satisfactorily through the calender stack, the knife is moved manually to the opposite end thereby increasing the lead strip to full web width.
  • Such means essentially consists of a diverter-cutter means which thrusts the film into a critical operative threadup position with respect to the entrance opening of the pneumatic means and, then, at the instant it reaches that position cuts the strip which is instantly drawn or pulled into the tube entrance by the air flow. It is this movement of the strip from a first path, where it has been moving at great speeds, and the introduction or threading of it into the tube that presents operating difficulties which this invention solves.
  • a second point which may be another work station or, as specifically described in this application, is a windup roll, it is then required that the leading edge of the strip be threaded onto the windup roll.
  • the instant invention solves this problem by providing a windup roll threadup device which borrows the air flow from the pneumatic means that has been moving the strip to blow or guide the leading edge of the strip onto a novel guiding device which is positioned adjacent the exit opening of the pneumatic moving means.
  • the lower portion of this guiding device is positioned below and adjacent the lower surface of the windup roll and has connected to it spaced flexible bristles through which the airflow can pass.
  • the air As the air travels in the curvilinear path of the inner surface of the guiding device and blows through this set of bristles, it carries with it the leading edge of the strip and brings it into a critical operative, contacting, relationship with the lower surface of the roll which has a sticky substance or some other means thereon to provide an adhesive engagement between the strip and the roll.
  • the roll is rotating whereby it instantly accepts (i.e., threads) the strip thereon and starts the winding operation.
  • the invention encompasses using this windup roll threadup device as a means of effectively getting a web wound onto a windup roll. Again, it is important to recognize that all of these things are happening at considerable speeds and that the material is one that is extremely difficult to handle. By using the methods and apparatus of the instant invention, significant improvements in handling are brought about. That is the crux of this invention.
  • This invention relates to material handling and, more particularly, to a method of and apparatus for the automatic threading or positioning of light weight, wide width polymeric film as it moves at high speeds.
  • the material In the manufacture of elongated webs of polymeric film, the material must undergo numerous processing steps, such as heating, drying, washing, stretching, surface treatment, etc., before the finished web arrives at the packaging station. This usually requires moving of the web through a complicated process or work path for some of the operations must be performed in progressive stages and at variable speeds.
  • processing steps such as heating, drying, washing, stretching, surface treatment, etc.
  • a narrow relatively thick ribbon is initially cast in a thermoplastic state onto a quenching surface and rapidly cooled into a hardened condition; the web is then reheated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature and stretched, usually bidirectionally into a lightweight film many times longer, wider and thinner thanthe initial ribbon.
  • the speed of the thin film beyond the stretching station is, of course, substantially higher due to the corresponding elongation.
  • the tension forces on the web before and after stretch elongation are considerably changed.
  • the web must be conveyed or moved in predetermined paths from one work station to the next over a variety of process or transfer rolls, some of which are power driven, to provide the required tensioning and forwarding forces.
  • the polymeric material Since the polymeric material must also be surface conditioned, inspected and slit to desired width at other work stations, it is not unusual for the web to follow a complicated, tortuous process path before arriving at the windup or other work station.
  • special devices and web handling techniques must be applied to effect an uninterrupted threading of the web onto a windup roll or rolls. Ordinarily, this is achieved by slitting the wide web into a plurality of narrower widths and winding the slit web sections onto a plurality of windup rolls on indexing turret type windups.
  • Such devices include ancillary mechanisms for automatically transferring the web from a full roll to an empty core; however, they may lack the high speed capability for automatic positioning of a strip formed from the web in operative relationship with a windup device for threading of the strip and then the web onto the core of the first windup roll.
  • the present invention solves these problems, and other problems existent in the prior art, by providing means and steps for automatically threading a strip into a pneumatic moving means and onto a windup roll and for positioning and moving it, and then the web from which it is formed, in a predetermined process path for winding the web onto the windup roll.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fully automatic strip threading and web winding apparatus of this invention including a slitter means for forming a narrow leader strip in the web as it moves in a first path; means for threading the strip into pneumatic moving means including means for thrusting, then cutting, then pulling the leading edge of the leader strip into such moving means for pneumatically moving the strip in a second path; means for threading the strip onto a windup roll; means (i.e., the windup roll) for pulling the strip out of the transport tubes of the pneumatic moving means through slots therein and onto process rolls defining a third path; and, means for traversing the slitter means to establish the full width web for winding onto the windup roll.
  • a slitter means for forming a narrow leader strip in the web as it moves in a first path
  • means for threading the strip into pneumatic moving means including means for thrusting, then cutting, then pulling the leading edge of the leader strip into such moving means for pneumatically moving the strip in a second
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed elevational view of strip first threadup means for threading the leader strip into the entrance opening of a first transport tube of the pneumatic moving means including means for thrusting and cutting the strip and for pulling the leading edge thereof to divert it and thread it into the transport tube.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of a diverter knife of a divertercutter means for cutting the strip after it has been diverted into the entrance opening of the first transport tube.
  • FIG. 43 shows the strip as it appears in various positions and shapes as it is diverted and cut and pulled into the first transport tube.
  • FIG. 5 is an end sectional view of a pneumatic strip transport tube having a continuous strip removal slot therein closed two by flaps.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a modified strip transport tube with a single flap closure.
  • FIG. '7 is a view of the end portions of two typical transport tubes in a space chute arrangement wherein the exit end of the first tube defines a flared exhaust nozzle and the input end of the second tube defines rectangularly shaped pickup horn.
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an eductor jet which furnishes high velocity, low turbulence fluid inside a transport tube for moving the leader strip through the tube.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a typical arrangement of successive pneumatic strip transport tubes for forwarding a leader strip through and in a tortuous process path. As shown, the tubes are positioned outside the normal operating path of the web and alternate from one side to another in accordance with change of direction of the process path of the web so that a slot in a given tube always faces the final web path.
  • FIG. 10 is an elevation view (with parts omitted for clarity) of strip second threadup means for threading the strip onto a windup roll including a novel guide chute having flexible member in contact with the windup roll surface for guiding, with the air flow from the last transport tube, the strip into threadup position.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the initial stage of the material handling operation beginning with the formation of a narrow leader strip from a full width web which at this stage is moving in a first path to a first work station, such as a waste shredder and wherein the diverter-cutter means of the strip first threadup means for threading the strip into the pneumatic moving means has been moved into its diverting and cutting position.
  • a first work station such as a waste shredder
  • FIG. 12 shows the second stage of the operation after the narrow leader strip has been cut and diverted into a second path for movement with the remaining portions of the web continuing along the first path to the waste shredder and wherein the diverter-cutter means has been moved into its retracted position.
  • FIG. 13 shows the third stage of operation following pull out of the leader strip from the transport tubes defining the second path and onto process rolls defining a third path. At this stage the slitter knives start to traverse outwardly to increase the strip to full web width.
  • FIG. 14 shows the fourth stage of operation wherein the slitter knives have traversed outwardly to points adjacent the edges of the web thereby to increase the strip to substantially full web width.
  • FIG. 15 shows the fifth and final stage of operation with the full width web moving in the third or process path and with the slitter knives in their retracted position. This is the normal operating path for the web as it is wound onto the windup roll.
  • This invention is a material handling apparatus and method.
  • the apparatus generally includes:
  • first moving means for moving a web of material from a supply source along a first path to a first work station by first moving means
  • first threadup means for thrusting and cutting the leader strip and for pulling the leading edge of the leader strip into a pneumatic strip second moving means for moving the web in a second path;
  • second threadup means for operatively connecting the leader strip to a windup roll which is adapted to pull it into a third path
  • the strip threading and web winding parts of the apparatus of this invention generally comprise:
  • a web of material 10, such as plastic film, to be handled by the apparatus of this invention is supplied from a supply source 11, and moved along a first path P-l by appropriate mechanical first moving means 12, such as nip rolls 12', and to a first work station or means 13, such as a waste shredder or scrap recovery area.
  • the supply source 11 may be any appropriate source, for example, it may be a web of plastic film as it emerges from the tenter frame of a polyethylene terephthalate film production line.
  • the material 10 first passes around guide rolls 14 and 15 and into the bite of the driven nip rolls 12.
  • the material 10 is moved or advanced from tenter frame along the first path P-l by these nip rolls 12' and, hence, to the waste shredder 13 which may feature a high speed rotary blade similar to the kind described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,545,686, issued Dec. 8, 1970.
  • the leader strip forming means 20 is composed of a pair of web slitter knives 21 each mounted rigidly in a carriage 22 and adapted with a pneumatic actuator 23 for upward movement into contact with the moving web 10.
  • Each carriage 22 is operatively connected to a lead-screw which is driven by a motor 24 for traversing from the point of contact with the web it to just beyond the outer margin thereof.
  • the knife blades 21 Prior to the threadup sequence, the knife blades 21 are traversed to the midregion of the web 10 within 6 inches of each other. When the threadup sequence begins the blades are activated for cutting or forming the narrow leader strip 10' in the web 10.
  • the material slitting knives 21 preferably are conventional industrial type razor blades and are adapted by the pneumatic actuator 23 for upward movement into contact with the moving web as it moves in the first path P-1 between the tenter frame 11 and the roll 14%.
  • leader strip 19' After the leader strip 19' is formed, it, together with the rest of the web 10, continues for a period of time along the first path lP-li, through the nip rolls 12' and into the shredder 13 prior to initiation of the leader strip first threadup means 3%, as will now be explained.
  • the strip first threadup means for threading the leader strip 10. into the pneumatic second moving means 40 is located or positioned below the leader strip as it moves in the first path P-1 and adjacent such pneumatic moving means.
  • the threadup means 30 includes means 31 for quickly thrusting the strip 10' into threadup position with respect to the pneumatic second moving means; means 32 for cutting the strip 10 when it reaches such threadup position, thereby forming a leading edge 10 and the pneumatic second moving means 40 being operable for pulling the leading edge 10" of such cut strip 10 into the'second moving means 40 for moving the strip therethrough and in a second path P-2 defined thereby.
  • the strip thrusting means 31 preferably is in the form of a rounded head 33 adapted to be thrust by actuator means 34 into the strip 10 to move it or push it into threadup position as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2.
  • the strip 10 is located in an entrance opening 41' of a first transport tube 41 of the second moving means 40 preferably in the form of a pickup horn having rounded guide members 41" at the sides thereof.
  • the cutting means 32 preferably consists of a flat blade 35 welded to the end of a pneumatic actuator means 36 which is attached to the machine frame by conventional fasteners.
  • the cutting edge 37 of the blade 35 preferably has a single point profile 38 and is adapted to pierce or rupture the leader strip 10 at the precise instant that it reaches threadup position.
  • the stri 10' is in the entrance 0 enin 41 of P P P 8 the first strip transport tube 41 and as it is cut, the leading edge 10" of the leader strip 10 is diverted into this entrance opening 41 where the air flow from the pneumatic moving means 40 provides a means to pull the strip 10 into the pneumatic moving means for movement therethrough.
  • the tube 41 forms a part of such pneumatic second moving means 40 which guides the strip 10 through the system as a prelude to the windup roll threadup operation.
  • the leader strip 10' moves around transfer rolls 14 and 15 and into the waste shredder 13.
  • the diverter horn 41 is positioned between these rolls.
  • a vacuum is formed in the diverter horn opening 41' by means of the diverter jet and immediately after this, the strip divert arm or thrusting means 31 rotates from the dotted line position as shown in FIG. 2 into its operative threadup position to depress the leader strip 10' into the mouth or opening 41' of the divert horn 41.
  • the rounded head 33 of the diverter arm 32 draws high tension between the two stationary rounded guides 41" of the horn 41.
  • the diverter knife tires to cut the strip 10' substantially simultaneously with its reaching its threadup position. This action is rapid so the tension buildup between the two guides 41" does not propagate toward the roll 14. If tension builds up between the horn 41 and the roll-14, the leader strip 10' will snap away from the horn 41 like a rubber band.
  • the knife 35 cuts the leader strip 10 and the vacuum in the horn 41 picks it up and starts it through the pneumatic moving means 40.
  • the basic component of the strip transport or second moving means comprises at least one or preferably a plurality of pneumatic strip transport tubes 41 each of which includes a rectangular-shaped, thin walled conduit made of lightweight aluminum alloy about 6 inches wide, 2 inches high and about 10 feet in length.
  • Each tube 41 excepting the first tube, has a strip entrance opening 42 in the form of a pickup horn and an exit opening 43 in the form of a flared nozzle.
  • Each tube 41 further is adapted with an eductor jet 44 which is connected by suitable piping that includes pressure regulation means to a remote source of pressurized air, as will be explained.
  • jet 44 is located ap proximately 18 and 24 inches from the exit opening 43 and furnishes streams of high velocity fluid toward the exit.
  • the placement near the exit opening is preferred for a standard length tube since more complete mixing of the high velocity fluid and the entrained air in the tube takes place. This, in turn, results in maximum aspiration at the entrance opening 42 andrelatively low turbulence downstream.
  • the diverging pickup born 42 is employed to facilitate entry of the leader strip 10 into tube 41 while the flared nozzle 43 assures snag free exit.
  • Each tube 41 further is provided with a strip removal slot 45 which extends continuously the length of the tube through the mid-portion of one of its surfaces.
  • Slot 45 is a narrow opening about three-eighths inch wide with smooth rounded edges through which the leader strip 10 is extracted or pulled from the second path P-2 upon completion of a strip threading sequence.
  • the transport tube 41 is positioned so that slot 45 is always facing the operating final process path of the web 10; i.e., the third path P-3.
  • This side of the tube is hereafter referred to as the slot slide.”
  • a typical tube 41 can be either straight or curvilinear provided that the curved portions have a radius not less than 9 inches and the curvatures are directed in the same general direction; that is, there are no S-shaped curves. As shown in H0. 9, a reverse curvature is obtained by placement of separate tubes 41 in successive relationship, This assures that the slot side 46 of each tube 41 is facing the final operating or process path P-3 of the web 10. More importantly, the successive critical placement of tubes 41 enables the strip (and, then, the web) to be moved in very complicated and tortuous configurations over extended distances without excessive cumulative air pressure buildup.
  • the leader strip 10' can be conveyed through the transport tubes 41 at speeds up to 2,000 feet per minute.
  • the top speed of conveyance is only limited by the feed or movement rate of the strip from upstream processing equipment. Conveyance over long distances is best accomplished, when the static pressure within the tube 41 is no greater than atmospheric and preferably at a subatmospheric level.
  • the strip pull-out slot 45 is provided with a slot seal or closure means 47 which minimizes leakage but is relatively simple mechanically to permit easy, rapid removal of the leader strip 10' from the tube 41. As shown in FIG.
  • the slot closure means 47 covers the strip pull-out slot 45 the entire length of the transporter tube 41 and preferably consists of two abutting, flexible polymeric film flaps 48 attached to the external surface of the tube 41 by pressure sensitive adhesive tapes 49 which function as hinges.
  • the flaps 47 are made of a 0.003 inch thick polymeric material which remain sufficiently stiff against the slight pressure differential between the inner and outer sides of the tube. Portions of the flaps under the tapes 49 may cut out, as shown, to improve the flexing character of the material.
  • FIG. 6 A preferred version of the slot closing means is shown in FIG. 6, which version includes a single slot closing means or flap 47 for closing the slot 45 upon application of suction in the tube 41 by the jets 44 to close it. As the jets 44 are disengaged, the closing means 47 is free to hingeso that the strip may be easily pulled through the slot 45, from the second path P-2 and into the work or third path P-3.
  • the terminal end of the last strip transport tube 41 train is aimed directly at or onto the strip threadup device 50.
  • the diverter rolls l4 are provided for guiding first the strip 10', then the full width web 10 after the strip 10 is pulled out of the tubes 41 through the slots 45 and onto the process rolls which define the work or process path P-3.
  • the eductor jet 44 of the pneumatic strip moving means 40 essentially is a device comprising upper and lower venturi plates 51 and 52 which are fixedly held together in spaced relationship by side plates 53 only one of which plate is shown.
  • the space between the venturi plates 51 and 52 defines an open passageway 54 through which the leader strip 10 moves.
  • Passageway 54 is an accurately contoured channel composed of a converging nozzle 54', a minimum throat 54" and an expanding nozzle 54" each blending smoothly together and at the junctions with the tube 41.
  • Pressurized fluid is introduced into the jet 44 in the vicinity of the throat 54 by way of inlets 55 that communicate downstream with distribution manifolds 56 and upstream with a source of pressurized air which is regulated to about 40 scfm and 40 psig.
  • the manifolds 56 in turn feed into narrow slot orifices 57 by way of spaced distributor apertures 58 which are circular holes drilled into the venturi plates at regular intervals across the width of passageway 54.
  • Orifices 57 likewise extend across the passageway 54 width and are formed by flat caps 59 which direct the high velocity fluid generally along the upper and lower surfaces of the expanding nozzle 54", as shown by the arrows in FIG. 6.
  • Continuity of the open slot 45 along the longitudinal axis of tube 41 is maintained through centerline of jet 44 by a split arrangement of the venturi plate 52 and the orifice cap 59.
  • the aforementioned components are each attached to the respective side plates 53 thereby forming a narrow separation that coincides with the slot 45 of the tube 41.
  • the venturi portion of passageway 54 is designed for specific fluid flow conditions capable of producing maximum aspiration at the entrance end of the tube and high velocity, low turbulence at the exhaust end. These conditions are met by a venturi featuring a convergence angle a in the nozzle 54 of about 14, an expansion angle [3 in nozzle 54" of about 695 and a minimum area throat 54" approximately one-half the cross section area of a tube. The above proportions enable operation of the jet 44 at relatively low static pressures without appreciable decrease in aspiration or fluid velocity.
  • each strip transport tube 41 is no greater than 10 feet in length; however, longer lengths can be utilized to a limited extent provided that the tube is adapted with booster jets and adjusted for operation at a higher manifold pressure.
  • booster jets similar to the eductor jet 44 are incorporated at spaced distances along the tube 41 with the initial jet 44; that is, the one nearest the entrance end adjusted at a substantially lower manifold pressure than that ordinarily encountered in the preferred embodiment.
  • Each successive jet thereafter along the transport tube is adjusted to a slightly higher manifold pressure in order to maintain stream velocity and to offset the steadily increasing mass flow and internal static pressure.
  • tubes 41 longer than 30 feet and featuring more than three eductor jets are not considered practical for conveyance of lightweight polymeric strip material. It is noted that as the thickness of the strip material and the feed rate is increased, higher fluid flow conditions can be tolerated in spite of the destructive effects. Conversely, light gauge film and low feed rates require correspondingly lower fluid flow conditions within the eductor jet.
  • each tube is a self-contained conveyor adapted with its own eductor jet 44, pickup horn 42 and flared nozzle 43.
  • the tubes 41 are arranged in successive order so that the pickup horns 42 are aligned with the flared nozzles 43 of the upstream tubes and separated by an intervening air space.
  • some tubes 41 may be straight and others are shaped to suit the path.
  • the running length of any tube 41 preferably is limited to a maximum of 10 feet.
  • the air space serves as a pressure release which means that it allows the fluid stream in the tube 41 to expand to atmospheric level upon emerging from the flared nozzle 43. This allows each successive tube 41 to operate at substantially identical fluid flow conditions, thereby reducing consumption of pressurized air, the deleterious noise level and generally simplifying operability.
  • the air space feature greatly increases the flexibility of the pneumatic transport tube concept in web handling operations that otherwise cannot tolerate permanent obstructions'.
  • an air space is located at a point where the web changes direction over guide rolls thereby enabling permanent installation of the transport tubes 41.
  • an air space can be incorporated where the moving web must travel unobstructed, as at an inspection station.
  • the transport tubes 41 are positioned so that the leader strip 10, is shot across the station thus leaving the line of sight space clear.
  • the'space shoot feature permits permanent installation of stationary tubes, which when properly aligned and adjusted provide a remarkably simple and reliable strip threadup system of great, and highly sought after flexibility.
  • the leader strip is moved in the second path P-Z by and through the pneumatic second moving means 40 to the windup roll means 60 and threaded thereon prior to being pulled from the tubes 41 and into the third path P-3 defined by the process rolls where it is adapted to be converted to a full webas will be described.
  • the web 10 will be in position to be wound onto a windup roll or, stated another way, such web will be in operative working relationship with the web windup means 60 or other work means. It is this critical path that'this invention automatically seeks and finds in a novel manner of great usefulness in the web handling arts.
  • the strip second threadup means 50 for threading the strip 10' onto a windup roll 61 after it is moved in the second path P-2 by and through the second moving means 40 is positioned adjacent the exit opening 41" of the last transport tube 41 of the pneumatic moving means 40.
  • Such strip threadup device 50 includes a strip guide chute 71 having a curved inner surface and spaced flexible members 72 connected thereto. Means (not shown) are provided to swing the chute 71 into its operative position.
  • members 72 are in contact with parts of the lower surface of the windup roll 61 and the spacings enable the air flow from the tube 41 of the pneumatic moving means 40 to pass through such spacings and between the chute and such lower parts of the windup roll surface.
  • the air from the tube 41 carries the leading edge 10" of the strip 10' onto the strip guide chute 71 where it is deflected and guided by the curved inner surface of the chute and whereby the leading edge 10" of the strip '10 is transported by the air flow from the exit opening 41" between the flexible brushes 72 and into contact with the lower surface of the windup roll 61.
  • the windup roll 61 has means to connect the leading edge of the strip 10' in this threadup position to its surface after such contact, preferably in the form of a sticky substance applied thereto.
  • the web windup means 60 per se further includes a pivotable, driven lay-on roll 62; a driven tension wrap roll 63; and a pivotable idler tension sensing roll 64.
  • the lay-on roll 62 which is rotatably joumaled on pivot arms that are affixed to the main machine frame. Pneumatic cylinders (not shown) pivot the lay-on roll 62 from the retracted position (shown in dotted outline) to a web windup operating position against the core of the windup roll. During roll formation, the lay-on roll 62 maintains a predetermined force against the surface of the web 10 to assure a stable wrinkle-free windup.
  • the tension roll 64 is mounted on pivot arms which are actuated between a retract position (dotted lines) to an operating position by pneumatic cylinders (not shown). In its operating position, the tension roll 64 urges the web 10 to wrap around the tension wrap roll 63 sufficiently so that the inherent tension in the material is measured by spring mounted force transducers operatively connected to the stationary antifriction bearings in which the tension roll 64 is journaled.
  • the fully automatic threadup system is capable of continuous windup of a 60 inch wide web of 0.00015 to 0.0020 inch thick polyester film at line speeds of high speed production units.
  • the threadup system is integrated with the web windup means 60 which is a commercial indexing turret type unit similar to Model 30-322 manufactured by the Black Clawson Company, Fulton, N.Y. windup 60 is adapted with standard auxiliary mechanisms for automatic transfer of the web from a full to an empty core.
  • the positioning of the web in operative relationship to this windup device i.e., in path P-3) is the touchstone of this invention.
  • the strip 10 (and then the web 10 whichfollows the strip 10') passes from the supply source 11 under the diverter roll 14, over the upper guide roll 15 and around the tension wrap roll 63 and the idler roll 64.
  • Rolls 14, 15, 16, 63 and 64 are the process rolls of the apparatus and define the web process path P-3. From this path P-3 the web 10, after being expanded from the strip 10, may be wound onto a windup roll of the web windup means 60.
  • the web 10 must first be moved along a first path P-l by the driven nip rolls [2 from the supply source 11, around rolls 14 and 15, and into a first station, such as the waste shredder 13 which has been previously activated by an operator.
  • the lay-on roll 62 is moved into retracted position. The movement of this roll is accomplished by the actuators (previously mentioned).
  • An empty bobbin or core of a windup roll 61 is placed on the indexing turret of the web windup means 60 and is ready to receive the web 10 to be wound thereon.
  • the windup roll 61 is made ready to receive the leader strip 10' by these steps.
  • the roll 61 is rotated to its normal winding position on the winder turret and the brush tipped deflector chute 71 is extended to engage its speed-sensing roller (not shown) with the roll 61.
  • the brush tips 72 are positioned in light contact with the lower surface of the roll 61.
  • the brushes 72 are separated by tufting to allow air flow from the last tube 41 of the pneumatic moving means 40 to pass therethrough and under the roll surface.
  • Sticky tape is wrapped around roll 61 in the area of brush tips "72 to insure adhesion of threadup leader strip 10. to the roll surface 61.
  • the windup roll 61 is started and speed controlled at about 6 percent overspeed and at a torque level which will pull leader strip 10 from transport tubes 41 but will not break the strip 10 once it becomes tensioned in the final film path.
  • the overspeed is used to take up slack quickly as the strip 10 is pulled from the tubes 41 but prevents the windup roll 61 from developing excessive inertia which would break the strip 10 as it becomes taut in the final film path.
  • the knives 21 move upwardly into the moving web 10 and, as shown in FIG. 11, the narrow leader strip 10 is formed from and in the mid-portion thereof.
  • This leader strip 10 and the main body of the web 10 both continue to be moved along the first path P-1 and into the waste shredder 13 by the first moving means 12.
  • eductor jet 44 of the tube 41 is actuated.
  • the actuator 34 of the strip first threadup means 30 pushes or thrusts leader strip 10 into operative threadup relationship with the second moving means 40.
  • the knife 35 fires and the point 38 thereof pierces and ruptures strip 10' and deflects or diverts the leading edge 10" of the strip 10 into the entrance opening 41 of the first transport tube 41 of the second moving means 40 where it is entrained by the air stream to start the threadup operation.
  • the manner in which the diverting (i.e., the. thrusting, cutting and pulling) takes place is critical.
  • the cutting knife 35 illustrated in FIG. 3, which is propelled at high velocity at the instant the diverter or thrusting means 31 thrusts the strip 10 into the entrance opening of the tube 41, is provided with the extended, sharpened point 38. This point punctures the central portion of the strip 10, as shown in FIG.
  • the tongue 10" is picked up by the air stream and carried into the pneumatic tube 41 while the strip 10' continues to be pulled along the initial path P-l by tails 10".
  • the length of the tongue 10 is determined primarily by the speed of the strip and the angle of the edge 37 of knife 35. The more acute the angle, the longer the tongue 10 and more effective the pickup by the air stream. As the tails 10 become very narrow the leader strip 10' separates from the first path P-1 and follows the second path P-2 through the pneumatic moving means 40.
  • the leader strip 10 is conveyed from one tube 41 to the next in the second path P-2 until it finally moves into operative relationship with the strip second threadup device 50 which threads the leader strip 10 onto the windup roll 61 by pneumatically and mechanically guiding it into engaging, wrapping, contact therewith, as has been explained.
  • the leader strip 10' is moved along the second path P-2 at relatively low tension until it is engaged by the windup roll 61. While the main portion of the web 10 continues along the first path P-l to the shredder 13, the speed of the roll 61, which was preset before the automatic sequence started, applies an increased tension to the leader strip 10'. This causes the strip 10 to be pulled out of the tubes 41 by way of the slots 45 therein onto the guide rolls 15 and 16, so that it, the strip 10, now is moving along path P-3 which constitutes the final operating path. These rolls together comprise the process rolls of the apparatus and the path P-3 is the process path. I
  • the lead screws of the traversing slitter knives 21 are activated and, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the slitter knives 21 begin lateral movement toward the margins of the web 10 to form or restore the full width web.
  • the final operation takes place when the idler roll 64 is pivoted into contact with the web 10 to draw it into contact with the tension sensing roll 63. From this point on the web is moving in its windup the path P-3 and the web winding operation is continuous thereafter.
  • the web handling method of this invention including the method of threading a strip of plastic film into a pneumatic moving means and onto a windup roll and winding a web from which the strip is formed thereon includes the steps of moving the web continuously at a first speed along a first path by first moving means;
  • a pneumatic second moving means including at least one pneumatic strip transport tube having a strip removal slot therein;
  • a material handling method including the steps of:
  • first moving means moving a web along a first path by first moving means
  • leader strip in the web as it moves in the first path; cutting the leader strip-completely and transversely thereby forming a leading edge and diverting the leader strip thereby to thread the leading edge of the strip into a pneumatic second moving means;
  • a method of threading a strip into a pneumatic moving means and onto a windup means and of wind.- ing a web connected to the strip upon such windup means including the steps of:
  • first moving means moving the web continuously at a first speed along a first path by first moving means; slitting the web as it moves to form a leader strip; moving the leader strip along the first path by the first moving means;
  • a pneumatic second moving means including at least one pneumatic strip transport tube having a strip removal slot therein;
  • Such winding roll adapted to pull the strip from the second moving means and into a third path
  • the windup roll being rotatable for winding the web onto such windup roll.
  • An apparatus for threading a strip into a pneumatic means and onto a windup means and for winding a web connected to the strip upon such windup means including: 7
  • first moving means for moving the web continuously at a first speed along a first path
  • Such first moving means adapted to move the leader strip along the first path
  • a pneumatic second moving means including at least one pneumatic strip transport tube having a' strip removal slot therein;
  • the second moving means adapted to move the leader strip at the first speed along a second path through the tube
  • the windup roll being rotatable for moving the strip at the first speed in the third path
  • the means for slitting the web being movable outwardly for expanding the strip into web width
  • the windup roll being rotatable for winding the web so expanded onto the windup roll.
  • Apparatus for winding a plastic web comprising:
  • first strip threadup means for cutting completely and transversely the strip and thereby forming a leading edge diverting its leading edge into a first pneumatic strip transport tube located opposite the first strip threadup means thereby to initiate strip tube threading;
  • each tube comprising a converging pickup horn at the input end of the tube defining an extreme opening for facilitating entry of the leading edge of the strip into the tube;
  • a flared exhaust nozzle at the exit end of the tube defining an exit opening therein for snag free removal of the strip therethrough;
  • a slotted eductor jet interposed in the tube near the exhaust nozzle for supplying a stream of high velocity fluid parallel to the tube wall;
  • second strip threadup means including means for guiding the leading edge of the strip into contact with a windup roll and connecting it thereto;
  • the windup roll being movable at a preset speed for pulling the strip through the slot of each tube and onto process rolls defining the process path;
  • An apparatus for winding a web onto a windup roll including:
  • first moving means for moving the web along a first path
  • a pneumatic second moving means including at least one tube having a slot therein for moving the strip in a second path;
  • the means for forming the leader strip being movable laterally for expanding the strip into web width whereafter the windup roll moves the web so expanded along the third path and winds the web onto the windup roll.
  • the second moving means includes at least two strip transport tubes spaced from each other and shaped and positioned to conform to process configuration and wherein each tube has a strip removal slot therein, which slots face the third path of the full width web.
  • the second moving means is a series of pneumatic strip transport tubes spaced apart from each other and wherein the exit of one tube is operatively aligned with the pickup horn of the next-in-line tube, each of the tubes being equipped with eductors.
  • An apparatus including:
  • pneumatic means for moving a leader strip including a tube having means defining an exit opening therein;
  • a strip guide chute having a curved inner surface, spaced flexible members connected to such chute at the lower edge thereof, such members being in contact with parts of the lower surface of the windup roll and the spacings enabling air flow from the tube to pass therethrough and between the chute and such lower parts of the windup roll surface after being deflected and guided by the curved inner surface of the chute whereby the leading edge of the strip is transported by the air flow from the exit opening into contact with the windup roll;
  • a windup roll threadup device including:
  • pneumatic moving means including a tube for moving a strip therethrough, said means having an exit opening;
  • a strip guide means positioned adjacent the exit opening of the pneumatic moving means, such guide means having a curved inner surface the upper portion of which is opposite the exit opening of the pneumatic moving means and the bottom portion of which is adjacent and below the lower surface of the windup roll, such guide means having flexible members at the lower edge thereof in contact with parts of the lower surface of such roll whereby air flow from the pneumatic means blows the leading edge of the strip being moved therethrough onto the inner surface of the guide means and such air flow continues through the flexible members of the guide means to blow the strip onto the lower surface of the windup roll;

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Advancing Webs (AREA)
  • Details Of Cutting Devices (AREA)
  • Preliminary Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)
  • Replacement Of Web Rolls (AREA)
  • Winding Of Webs (AREA)
US00172308A 1971-08-16 1971-08-16 Method of and apparatus for handling material Expired - Lifetime US3743197A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17230871A 1971-08-16 1971-08-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3743197A true US3743197A (en) 1973-07-03

Family

ID=22627154

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00172308A Expired - Lifetime US3743197A (en) 1971-08-16 1971-08-16 Method of and apparatus for handling material

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3743197A (enExample)
JP (1) JPS4828865A (enExample)
CA (1) CA989433A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2240285A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2150136A5 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1397640A (enExample)
LU (1) LU65906A1 (enExample)
NL (1) NL7211154A (enExample)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3823888A (en) * 1971-05-19 1974-07-16 Agfa Gevaert Ag Apparatus for detecting and guiding the leaders of photographic roll films
US3889442A (en) * 1972-03-13 1975-06-17 Platmanufaktur Ab Method of and device for removing a shrinkable plastic wrapping from a number of units, e.g. bottles, forming a substantially parallelepipedical body
US4458852A (en) * 1981-06-05 1984-07-10 American Hoechst Corporation Web transfer apparatus
US4553712A (en) * 1980-12-22 1985-11-19 British-American Tobacco Company Limited Feeding web material
US4695004A (en) * 1985-04-30 1987-09-22 J. M. Voith Gmbh Method for transferring a web from a finished roll to a new core, and drum winder for the application of the method
US5186407A (en) * 1989-11-10 1993-02-16 Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Auto-threading method
US5205504A (en) * 1989-11-10 1993-04-27 Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Auto-threading apparatus
EP0937672A1 (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-08-25 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Apparatus and method for cutting of a web, feeding it into a processing line and threading it up through that line
DE19944703A1 (de) * 1999-08-16 2001-02-22 Voith Paper Patent Gmbh Verfahren zum Aufwickeln einer laufenden Materialbahn
US6289750B1 (en) * 1997-02-26 2001-09-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for measuring tensile stress distribution in a metal strip
US12015138B2 (en) * 2022-02-28 2024-06-18 Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited Strip diverting mechanism, drying device and electrode plate manufacturing apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19856745A1 (de) * 1998-12-09 2000-06-15 Voith Sulzer Papiertech Patent Überführungsvorrichtung

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1338094A (en) * 1920-04-27 Paper-making
US2181049A (en) * 1939-01-19 1939-11-21 Oilgear Co Hydraulic drive
US2593388A (en) * 1951-05-07 1952-04-15 Ind Equipment & Supply Co Tape splitting machine
US3144216A (en) * 1961-09-12 1964-08-11 Du Pont Apparatus for slitting film and removing the srtrips from the cutting zone under unequal tension
US3252366A (en) * 1964-03-23 1966-05-24 Beloit Eastern Corp Air guiding trim chute

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1338094A (en) * 1920-04-27 Paper-making
US2181049A (en) * 1939-01-19 1939-11-21 Oilgear Co Hydraulic drive
US2593388A (en) * 1951-05-07 1952-04-15 Ind Equipment & Supply Co Tape splitting machine
US3144216A (en) * 1961-09-12 1964-08-11 Du Pont Apparatus for slitting film and removing the srtrips from the cutting zone under unequal tension
US3252366A (en) * 1964-03-23 1966-05-24 Beloit Eastern Corp Air guiding trim chute

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3823888A (en) * 1971-05-19 1974-07-16 Agfa Gevaert Ag Apparatus for detecting and guiding the leaders of photographic roll films
US3889442A (en) * 1972-03-13 1975-06-17 Platmanufaktur Ab Method of and device for removing a shrinkable plastic wrapping from a number of units, e.g. bottles, forming a substantially parallelepipedical body
US4553712A (en) * 1980-12-22 1985-11-19 British-American Tobacco Company Limited Feeding web material
US4458852A (en) * 1981-06-05 1984-07-10 American Hoechst Corporation Web transfer apparatus
US4695004A (en) * 1985-04-30 1987-09-22 J. M. Voith Gmbh Method for transferring a web from a finished roll to a new core, and drum winder for the application of the method
US5205504A (en) * 1989-11-10 1993-04-27 Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Auto-threading apparatus
US5186407A (en) * 1989-11-10 1993-02-16 Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Auto-threading method
US6289750B1 (en) * 1997-02-26 2001-09-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for measuring tensile stress distribution in a metal strip
EP0937672A1 (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-08-25 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Apparatus and method for cutting of a web, feeding it into a processing line and threading it up through that line
WO1999042394A1 (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-08-26 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Apparatus and method for cutting of a web, feeding it into a processing line and threading it up through that line
US7174819B1 (en) 1998-02-20 2007-02-13 Dupont Teijin Films U.S. Limited Partnership Apparatus and method for cutting a web, feeding it into a processing and threading it up through that line
DE19944703A1 (de) * 1999-08-16 2001-02-22 Voith Paper Patent Gmbh Verfahren zum Aufwickeln einer laufenden Materialbahn
US12015138B2 (en) * 2022-02-28 2024-06-18 Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited Strip diverting mechanism, drying device and electrode plate manufacturing apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2150136A5 (enExample) 1973-03-30
JPS4828865A (enExample) 1973-04-17
NL7211154A (enExample) 1973-02-20
GB1397640A (en) 1975-06-11
DE2240285A1 (de) 1973-03-01
LU65906A1 (enExample) 1973-01-15
CA989433A (en) 1976-05-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3764085A (en) Method of and apparatus for handling material
US3756527A (en) Method of and apparatus for threading a web of plastic film onto a windup roll and winding it thereon
US3762250A (en) Method of and apparatus for handling material
US3743197A (en) Method of and apparatus for handling material
US4695004A (en) Method for transferring a web from a finished roll to a new core, and drum winder for the application of the method
US6186436B1 (en) Bag winder and method thereof
EP0057156B1 (en) Air reject gate
CN101511575B (zh) 制袋机和卷绕器
EP0232689B1 (en) Paper tail nip threader
US4187968A (en) Apparatus for threading a paper web into the folding mechanism of a rotary printing press
US3156149A (en) Apparatus for trimming and winding sheeted materials
CN102089231B (zh) 制袋机和卷绕器
US4173611A (en) Process for feeding a moving web to a stenter apparatus
ES349962A1 (es) Aparato para bobinado de bandas destinado a cortar una ban-da en movimiento avanzante.
US6427938B1 (en) Process and apparatus for cutting a running material web
DE19804415C1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Kürzen der Fahne im Anschluß an einen fliegenden Rollenwechsel
US5899403A (en) Method and apparatus for winding bags onto a spindle
JPH0358804B2 (enExample)
US4300977A (en) Machine for welding thermoplastic sheets
US5622601A (en) Method and apparatus for effecting a clipped tail in a traveling paper web
US7011268B2 (en) Method and device for cutting through a running web of material and for fixing the start of the following web section on a core
US4210987A (en) Apparatus for feeding a moving web to a stenter apparatus
FI103425B (fi) Päänvientilaitteisto ja menetelmä rainan pään viemiseksi
US3248850A (en) Web free end control for wrapping machines
US4387841A (en) Film diversion apparatus