US3805814A

US3805814A - Apparatus for pickling a sheet metal strip

Info

Publication number: US3805814A
Application number: US00218678A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Morhard; S Morhard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-01-18
Filing date: 1972-01-18
Publication date: 1974-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-23

Abstract

Apparatus for pickling sheet metal strip. A wound strip of sheet metal is first unwound and simultaneously and coaxially and spirally rewound to a larger, coaxial, diameter with spacing means between successive turns thereof to insure adequate spacings therebetween for the entry of treating liquids. The strip winding in the expanded form is then subjected to the desired treatment, normally pickling, washing and drying. The strip is then rewound from the inner end thereof solidly onto a suitable core. As the strip travels radially inwardly from the outer expanded roll toward the inner rigid roll it may, if desired, conveniently pass through suitable straightening and/or stress relieving rollers or other means. The apparatus aspect of the invention contemplates vertical core for the reception of the rigid roll and a coaxial ring or outer shell spaced radially outwardly from said core for receiving, guiding and limiting the outward diameter of the expanded roll. Where multiple stepwise stations are utilized, a roll in the expanded form may be lifted vertically from the outer shell for movement of such roll from one station to the next.

Description

United States Patent [191 Morhard et al.

[451 Apr. 23, 1974 [22] Filed:

[ APPARATUS FOR PICKLING A SHEET METAL STRIP Jan. 18, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 218,678

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 18, 1971 Germany 2102200 [52] U.S. Cl 134/63, 134/80, 134/149, 242/78.1 [51] Int. Cl B08b 3/02 [58] Field of Search 134/14, 63, 80, 149; 242/78.]

[5 6] 4 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 644,574 3/1900 Braddock 134/14 2,221,811 11/1940 Nicklas... 134/14 2,366,352 l/l945 Paxson 242/78.1 2,409,384 10/1946 Peterson 242/78.l X 2,702,166 2/1955 Bishop et al. 242/78.l X 3,490,468 l/1970 Di Donato 134/63 X 3,495,785 2/1970 Coleman 242/78.1

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 698,526 ll/1964 Canada 242/78.1 718,109 11/1954 Great Britain 134/14 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchard &

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for pickling sheet metal strip. A wound strip of sheet metal is first unwound and simultaneously and coaxially and spirally rewound to a larger, coaxial, diameter with spacing means between successive turns thereof to insure adequate spacings therebetween for the entry of treating liquids. The strip winding in the expanded form is then subjected to the desired treatment, normally pickling, washing and drying. The strip is then rewound from the inner end thereof solidly onto a suitable core. As the strip travels radially inwardly from the outer expanded roll toward the inner rigid roll it may, if desired, conveniently pass through suitable straightening anld/or stress relieving rollers or other means.

The apparatus aspect of the invention contemplates vertical core for the reception of the rigid roll and a coaxial ring or outer shell spaced radially outwardly from said core for receiving, guiding and limiting the outward diameter of the expanded roll. Where multiple stepwise stations are utilized, a roll in the expanded form may belifted vertically from the outer shell for movement of such roll from one station to the next.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIED APR 23 1974 SHEET 1 0F 6 PATENTEDAPR23 W I 3.605814 SHEET u 0F 6 I QQ I in 1 N APPARATUS FOR PICKLING A SHEET METAL STRIP The invention relates to a method for pickling a sheet metal strip which is first unwound on a vertical axis from a rigid driven strip roll, is spaced apart from said strip roll by means supporting the lower edge thereof and is simultaneously rewound, also on a vertical axis, to form a spiral-springlike expanded strip roll with a spacer element which is introduced between its turns. It is subsequently treated through pickling, rinsing and drying in the expanded roll shape and is finally with the spacer elements removed rewound to form a rigid strip roll again at a radial distance from the expanded strip roll. During the rewinding both strip surfaces are automatically guided in the zone between the rolls and the driving power acts upon the rigid strip roll. The invention relates furthermore to an apparatus for performing this method.

According to a known method of the abovementioned type, the sheet metal strip, in the pretreatment station during the unwinding from the fixed strip roll, is wound onto a second reeling core so that an expanded strip roll is created thereon. During the rewinding the second reeling core is driven whereby the sheet metal strip is subjected to a considerable tensile stress which is particularly high for the reason that the automatic S-shaped strip guiding is accomplished during the rewinding by guide rollers which are arranged between the two strip coils. As a consequence of this technique, the rewinding of the sheet metal strip in the preparation station requires a considerable amount of floor space the width of which corresponds at least to the diameter of the expanded roll and the length of which corresponds at least the sum of diameters of both rolls plus their mutual radial distance provided for the positioning of the guide rollers. Moreover the high strip tension during the rewinding causes a very tight winding of the expanded strip roll so that its windings are held with a great pressure against the interposed spacer elements. If the latter is formed by a conventional wire or rope element which is enlarged at regular intervals, the wire or rope enlargements of the spacer element can under the effect of high winding pressure cause in the expanded strip rollconsiderable damage to the strip surfaces, for example scraping or nicking deformations. After the rewinding, the expandedstrip roll must in the known method be removed from the second reeling core and placed on vertical axes on a support platform and must by means of tlie latter be inserted into a pickling vat of a treatment station for pickling, rinsing and drying. After the treatment, the expanded strip roll must again be wound up on a reeling core and must with same be supported on horizontal axes in a rollingup station.'ln such a station, the sheet metal strip is pulled off from the expanded strip-roll and upon removal of the spacer element is rewound on a second reeling core on horizontal axes to form a rigid strip roll. Also the rewinding of the sheetmetal strip in the rewinding station requires at least the same space as the rewinding in the preparation station so that the entire space required for performing the known method is uneconomically high. Since this further requires a change of the axial position of the expanded strip roll during its transportfrom the treatment to the rewinding station, a complicated roll conveyor is needed which is not only expensive with respect to manufacturing and service expenses but also is limited to low magnitudes of support capacity. The known method is therefore, in spite of the uneconomically high requirements of space, apparatus and work output, useable: only for pickling of relatively light sheet metal strips which have a small width and thickness.

Accordingly, the pickling of wide and thick sheet metal strips of greater weight could up to now only be accomplished according to the known looping or towing method. According to this method, the sheet metal strips are each in the preparation stations wound off from a reeling core which is rotatably supported in said preparation station and are guided in a flat strip form by means of a guide roller system through a pickling path. Such pickling path, extends through the treatment station past pickling, rinsing and drying apparatus which are arranged in said treatment station and in the rewinding station at the end of the pickling path the strip is again rewound onto a second reeling core. Each reeling core has suitable driving and/or braking mechanisms associated therewith.

As a result of this technique, the pickling paths are (because of the elongated and extended position of the sheet metal strip in the treatment station) often several hundred meters long and require therefore not only a correspondingly great amount of space but further involve very high manufacturing costs. Since the throughput speed of the sheet metal strip, because of the pickling, rinsing and drying processes which occur in the treatment station, is limited to a relatively low magnitude, the looping or towing method is also relatively uneconomical.

The basic purpose of the invention is to improve the method described above in such a manner that it can be used also for wide or thick sheet metal strips of considerable weight and can be performed, compared with the methods used up to now, much more economically, with substantially less space requirement and by relatively simple apparatus. It is a further purpose that the manufacturing costs of the apparatus are for a given output considerably less than in the known apparatus of the described type. This is accomplished by driving the sheet metal strip before the treatment through an unwinding procedure by guide means effective on both surfaces thereof and directed both annularly and radially outwardly from the rigid strip roll to an approximately coaxial outside support to form same into an expanded strip roll with. convolutions extending from the outside to the inside and then, after treatment, the strip is rewound from within the expanded strip roll to an approximately coaxial rewind core. Duringboth windings the strip is wound and unwound on vertical axes by supporting the lower strip edge. A braking action may, if needed, be provided in the zone between the two rolls.

As a result of this new method the sheet metal strip in the preparation station is no longer, as has been done up to now, rewound with a considerable use of space from the rigid strip roll to a second reeling core but instead is rewound by itself coaxially to the rigid strip roll to form the expanded strip roll so that an extremely economical spacesaving construction of the preparation station is possible. The same is also true for the strip rewind station into which the expanded strip roll can be introduced, without requiring an axial displacement, also on vertical axes as in the treatment station.

' This permits a structurally simple roll conveyor with a strips of considerable weight can be treated in an economically short period of time independent from the length and thickness of the strip by pickling, rinsing and drying. Particularly in comparison with the known looping or towing methods, the inventive method assures a substantially more economical pickling by means of a structurally simple apparatus, the manufacturing costs of which are, due to the requirement for less space as compared with other known pickling apparatus, considerably less for a given output. Beyond this, however, the inventive method assures still further advantages. Since the sheet metal strip is driven during the rewinding between the two strip rolls, the strip tension and consequently the winding pressure in the expanded strip roll can'be maintained so low that no damage can be done in said expanded strip roll by the spacer element which is arranged between the strip windings. This assures a minimizing of waste.

In this connection it is also advantageous if the sheet metal strip during the rolling up is guided in an S- pattern in the zone between the two rolls and is thus both braked and also freed from internal stresses. Since during rewinding the spacer element is removed ahead of the winding of the sheet metal strip onto the reeling core, the strip surfaces cannot be damaged in spite of the high strip tension due to the S-shaped sheet metal strip guide, whereby at the same time a relieving of the internal stresses within the strip material is brought about.

It is also advantageous if the sheet metal strip is rewound in winding off direction to form the rewound roll in the preparation station. In this manner, the sheet metal strip between the rigid strip roll and the expanded strip roll can be driven by means of a structurally simple and therefore space-saving apparatus which requires only a small radial space between the rigid strip roll and the inner winding of the expanded strip roll. This makes possible for the expanded strip roll a relatively small outside diameter which substantially alone determines the floor space needed in the preparation station.

The known method which was described above requires for performing same an apparatus with driving and/or braking mechanisms for the sheet metal strip or for a reeling core of the rigid strip roll, which driving or braking mechanisms are associated with both the rewinding station and also the preparation station; with a guide roller system which automatically guides the sheet metal strip and a pickling vat for the expanded strip roll, which pickling vat is arranged in the treatment station; and with a roll conveyor which can be moved at least through the stations. In order to render such apparatus suitable for performing the inventive method, a support ring is associated with the expanded strip roll, which support ring supports or limits said strip roll on vertical axes both on the outside and also on the lower strip edge, and is constructed with an inside diameter which permits the arranging of at least two elements of the guide roller system between the rigid strip roll and the expanded strip roll which extends approximately coaxially around said rigid strip roll. Further, in the preparation station and in the rewinding station bearing devices are provided, which support the respective reeling core and support ring relatively to one another, vertically and coaxially, both rotatably and also displaceably axially at least for the sheet metal strip width, and the roll conveyor is constructed as a step conveying mechanism which supports on vertical axes the support ring with the expanded strip roll.

Such a support ring can be manufactured economically with the required rigidity and must be supported through structurally simple bearing devices in the preparation and also the rewinding station including the respective reeling core rotatably and axially displaceably relative to said reeling core. The expanded strip roll remains during its stepwise conveying from the strip windup through the treatment into the rewinding station always in the associated support ring so that in an economical manner no additional releasing and clamping of the roll are required.

It is also advantageous if the support ring is supported on a rotating platform which platform is adjustable in height and the stations are arranged on a theoretical circle around the rotating platform shaft in the step movement path of the support ring. Such a rotating platform can also be inexpensively constructed and forms a carrousel which is associated with the step conveying mechanism and through which the support ring can be moved stepwise from station to station and can be centered in the stations.

An optimum use of the apparatus can be achieved if three identical support rings are supported at angular spacings with respect to one another on the vertically adjustable rotating platform of the step conveying mechanism, and the stations are also angularly spaced l20 around the rotating platform shaft. In this manner, all stations during each time period of the operation simultaneously are provided with a support ring which during a stepwise forward movement of the rotating platform or the carrousel is brought into an appropriate station, so that the inventive method can be performed simultaneously on three sheet metal strips.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, each support ring is constructed bowl-shaped with, for example, at least one opening in the bowl bottom and provided with support surfaces which form said bowl bottom. The bowl-shaped construction of the support ring assures a safe support by the bowl bottom of the lower edge of the expanded strip roll, the opening of the bowl shape permitting the discharge of pickling and rinsing fluid and the passage of drying media into the treatment station.

In this connection it is particularly advantageous if the pickling vat in the treatment station is constructed substantially with the support ring diameter cylindrically as a collecting basin for pickling and rinsing fluids and the support rings can each be placed sealingly on the upper facing surface of the collecting basin through the vertically adjustable rotating platform, and that a conventional hood is both equipped with individual elements of a pickling, rinsing and drying mechanism and also constructed with the support ring diameter, is supported in the treatment station coaxially to a respective support ring and is sealingly lowerable onto said sup port ring. In this embodiment of the apparatus the support ring forms during the pickling, rinsing and drying of the expanded strip roll an important part of the treatment station so that the manufacturing costs thereof are economically low. Furthermore such a treatment station is very economical of space and can be sealed effectively at low cost, for example through ring seals which are arranged on the support ring and/or on the pickling vat and on the cover, so that the operator is protected against danger to his health, particularly if hydrochloric acid is used as pickling means.

The invention will be discussed more closely hereinafter including further details in connection with the enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematically illustrated top view of an apparatus of the above-described type;

FIG. 2 is a schematically illustrated cross-sectional view along the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematically illustrated cross-sectional view along the line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatically illustrated partial view of the apparatus according to FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematically illustrated top view of a portion of the apparatus according to FIGS. 1 to 3, and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematically illustrated top view of another part of the apparatus according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

An apparatus according to the drawings serves to pickle a sheet metal strip 1 which is supplied in form of a rigid strip-roll la. The apparatus has a preparation station 2, a treatment station 3 and a strip rewind station 4. Reeling

cores

5 and 6 each is rotatably supported in the

stations

2,4 and can be driven and/or braked by conventional devices, not illustrated. In the exemplary embodiment, the reeling

cores

5,6 are each arranged on vertical axes. The

stations

2,3,4 are each constructed of substantially circular shape and are, with reference to their center points, arranged 120 apart around an imaginary circle. A rotating platform 7 is supported by means of a vertical platform shaft 7a in the centerpoint of the imaginary circle and can be rotated stepwise in the direction of the arrow 8 each time approximately 120 by conventional drive means, not illustrated. Rings 9, l and 11 are each supported on vertical axes on the rotating platform 7 in the zones of the

stations

2,3,4 and can be lifted off said platform as will be described more in detail hereinafter. The

rings

9,10,11 are of identical construction and are with reference to their axes spaced l2 0 apart from one another on the lifting platform 7. Further, that their axes can vertically overlap the axes of each of the

stations

2,3,4.

Each of the

rings

9,10,11 is used, as will be discussed later, to produce in the preparation station 2 the sheet metal strip 1 which is unwound from the rigid strip roll 1a into an expanded strip roll lb and to limit the out side thereof, the roll layers of which strip roll 1b extend spirally with a spacing therebetween. The aforementioned vertical overlapping of the

rings

9,10,11 with the

stations

2,3,4 causes the rings which are in the preparation station 2 and the strip wind-up station 4 to assume a substantially coaxial po-' sition with the reeling core or 6 associated with the respective station when the reeling core is in an operat ing position as illustrated in full lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each of the

rings

91,10,11 is constructed with such an inside diameter that roll 1b which is expanded in the preparation station 2 from a length of the sheet metal strip 1, which length is at a maximum provided for the apparatus, has in each roll stage on the outside of the.

As is further shown in FIG. 1 in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the

rings

9,10,11 is rotatably supported in a recess of the rotating platform 7, which recess encloses at least partially the outer ring jacket and is liftably supported against said rotating platform by an

outer ring flange

9a, 10a or 11a. Each of the

rings

9,10,11 is constructed bowl-shaped with a bowl bottom which has at least one opening and against which the expanded strip roll 1b can be supported in the vertically axial position on the lower strip edge. The

rings

9,10,1 1 are thus capable of not only externally limiting the associated expanded strip roll lb but also of carrying 9b which extend toward the ring center and which form the bowl bottom and define openings between one another. The

rings

10,11 have the

same support arms

10b or 11b.

The rotating platform 7 can be vertically adjusted by means of an elevating mechanism 16 which, in the exemplary embodiment, is associated with the rotating shaft 7a and is constructed in form of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder-piston unit. Through a lowering movement of the rotating platform 7 which is done by means of the elevating mechanism 16 each of the

rings

8,9,10 can be supported within the

stations

2,4 on

pivot bearings

2a or 40 which are arranged stationarily approximately coaxially to the respective associated reeling

core

5 or 6 in the stations until the lifting off from the rotating platform 7 with the

support arms

9b or 10b or 11b. The

support arms

9b or 10b-or 11b which are associated with the

rings

9,10,11 are arranged in such a manner that their uppersupport. surfaces extend in the support position against one of the pivot bearings 2a or 4a substantially in the plane of a

rotating platform

2b or 4b which is arranged in the

respective station

2 or 4 coaxially to its pivot bearing 2a or' 4a, against which rotating platform the associated reeling

core

5 or 6 can be supported on the front side from above. The support arms 9b,l0b,1lb of the

rings

9,10,11 extend in the

stations

2 and 4 close to the

rotating platforms

2b or 4b which are associated with these stations and which are constructed with an outer diameter which corresponds at least to the maximum diameter of the rigid strip roll 1a. The pivot bearings 2a,4a consist in the exemplary embodiment each of a turntable which can be rotated freely with respect to the adjacent

rotating platform

2b or 4b. Thus each pivot bearing 2a or 4a forms together with the adjacent

rotating platform

2b or 4b a bearing device against which in the

stations

2 and 4, the respective reeling core Skor 6 and the respective

outer ring

9, 10 or 11 are concentrically and rotatably supportable relative to one another.

In order to makepossiblethe movement of the

outer rings

9,10,] 1 into the stations 2 and. 4, each of the reeling

cores

5 or 6 is supported with its upper end on a

bearing support

16 or 17 which in the associated station overlaps the outer ring provided in said station radially from the outside at least to the ring center. The

bearing

support

16 or 17 can be adjusted in height by an amount which exceeds the maximum width of the be adjusted in a conventional manner with respect to its outer diameter and can therefore be connected both movably and fixedly with respect to rotation to the rigid strip roll 1a. By this construction, the

standards

20,21 form with the respectively associated bearing

support

16 or 17 further bearing devices through which each reeling core or 6, if necessary, including the rigid strip roll 1a and the outer ring 9 or which is provided in the associated

station

3 or 4 can be offset relatively to one another approximately coaxially for at least a distance which exceeds the maximum width of the sheet metal strip 1. If desired, the bearing supports 16,17 can be arranged also horizontally swingably on the associated standard 20 or 21.

The

guide roller elements

12,13,14 or of the guide roller system for the sheet metal strip 1 are arranged adjustably in the

station

2,4 lengthwise of their bearing supports 16,17 by means of associated moving mechanisms 23,24 (see FIG. 2).

The treatment station 3 has according to FIG. 3 a collecting basin 3a which is constructed cylindrically substantially at the diameter of the

outer rings

9,10,11 and with which each of the

outer rings

9,10,11 can be brought coaxially into vertical overlapping relationship. The collecting basin 3a has a funnel-shaped bottom 3aa and is connected at its lowermost area to a discharge pipe 24. The collecting basin 3a serves to catch and discharge pickling and rinsing fluids. Each of the

outer rings

9,10,11 can be placed sealingly with its lower ring surface in the treatment station 3 by means of the elevating mechanism 7a of the rotating platform 7 on an upper surface of the collecting basin 3a, whereby for the purpose of an effective seal (not illustrated) seals can be arranged on the lower annular surface of the respective

outer ring

9 or 10 or 11 and/or on the upper surface of the collecting basin. Furthermore a hood 3b is arranged in the treatment station 3, which hood can be adjusted in height with respect to the collecting basin 3a substantially coaxially lengthwise on an associated standard 25 by means of a fourth elevating mechanism 26. The hood 3b can be lowered sealingly with a lower surface onto the upper surface of the

outer ring

9 or 10 or 11 which is in the station 3. Here too it is possible to provide on the outer rings and- /or on the lower facing 'surface, of the hood 3b acid-resisting seals to bring about an effective seal. Pickling, rinsing and drying devices are associated with the treatment station 3. FIG. 3 illustrates only individual elements of these devices, for

example feed pipes

27,28,29 for drying air, rinse and pickling fluids and a spray mechanism 30 which can be supplied with the latter, which elements are arranged on the hood 3b.

From the above description it will be understood that the rotating platform 7 with the elevating mechanism 16 associated with its rotating shaft 7a and its drive means (not illustrated) forms'a step conveyor mechanism through which each of the

outer rings

9,10,11 can be moved as a turntable together with the strip roll 1b which is expanded therein repeatedly during subsequent forward steps from the preparation station 2 through the treatment station 3 to the strip rewind station 4. Each one of the

outer rings

9,10,11 can both in the preparation station -2 and also in the strip rewind station 4 be driven in the support position which is lifted off from the lifting platform 7 on the respective pivot bearing 20 or 4a by not illustrated driving means with controllable or constant rotational speed about the ring, pivot bearing or reeling core shaft and/or can be braked by not illustrated braking devices. Further,

each one of the

outer rings

9,10, 11 is'associated at 1 shaped

spacer element

32 or 33 which has at regular intervals screw thread or pearl-shaped

enlargements

32a or 33a. The reels 31a,3lb can be stopped and also opposingly driven by an associated rotating field magnet 310 or 31d. The

spacer elements

32,33, for example plastic or titanium wires or ropes with wire rings or wire coils which form the

enlargements

32a or 33a, are guided from the

reels

31,31b through the

guide tubes

31e,31f into the preparation station 2 or the strip rewind station 4 over the strip roll lb which is expanded therein inwardly onto spaced-apart zones of the roll width and are each with the free end secured on a

hook

34 or 35 which can be placed on a transverse edge 1 of the sheet metal strip 1, which edge extends into the preparation station 2. Although in FIG. 1 three of the reeling mechanisms 31 are arranged near one of the

outer rings

9,10,11 on the rotating platform 7, one of the reeling mechanisms 31 can'be omitted by arranging two of the latter outside of the area of rotation of the rotating platform 7 stationarily near the preparation station 2 and the strip rewind station 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates in an enlarged preferred embodiment the moving mechanism 22 of the

guide roller system

12,13,14 for the sheet metal strip 1 in the preparation station 2. The moving mechanism 22 has a 22a which can be moved lengthwise of the bearing support 16 by drive means, for example cylinder-piston units of the pneumatic or hydraulic type illustrated in dashdotted lines. At least one of the

elements

12,13 of the guide roller system, preferably, however, the

elements

12,13 which are associated with the outside of the sheet metal strip 1 are supported adjustably approximately parallel to the bearing support 16 on the carriage 22a. At least one of the elements 12 of the guide roller system'can be driven and is provided, if necessary, with a friction-increasing roll jacket coating, for example a rubber coating. To make the introduction of the sheet metal strip 1 between the elements 12 of the guide roller system easier, two sheet-metal guides 22b are arranged on the carriage 22a. The leading end of the sheet metal strip 1 can be secured on theinside of the ring 9 by means of a connecting strip 9c.

According to FIG. 6, the movingmechanisr'n 23 has in the strip rewind station 4 also a carriage 23a which is movable lengthwise of the associated bearing support 17. At least one element 12 of the guide roller system, preferably the guide roller 12 which is associated with the outside of the sheet metal strip 1, is arranged on said carriage 23a engageable against said outside of the strip, for example swingable in the directions of the double arrow a,b.

The above-described apparatus operates as follows:

The sheet metal strip 1 is delivered in the form of a rigid strip roll 1a and is clamped onto the reeling core 5 which is lifted up and, if necessary, swung away relative to the preparation station 2. It is then lowered by means of said reeling core onto the rotating platform 2b in the preparation station 2 coaxially to the outer and support ring 9 which is supported in said preparation station against the pivot bearing 2a according to FIG. 2.

By driving the reeling core in the direction of arrow 36, the sheet metal strip 1 is then introduced into the

guide roller system

12,13,14 with its leading end 1, whereby the

guide rollers

12,13 which are associated with the outer sheet metal strip side are adjusted slightly outwardly compared with the position illustrated in FIG. 5 relative to the carriage 22a. After the sheet metal strip 1 has passed through the guide rollers 12, the outside guide roller 12 is adjusted toward the reeling core 5 by not illustrated pressure means until the sheet metal strip 1 is clamped between the guide rollers 12 and is driven together with the inside guide roller 12 in the direction of arrow 36. The outside guide roller 13 is urged against the outside of the sheet metal strip in response to the thickness of the sheet metal strip 1. Subsequently, the drive of the reeling core 5 can be turned off and the reeling core can in idle motion be moved by the strip tension. As soon as the leading end 1 of the sheet metal strip 1 contacts the inside of the ring 9, it is secured on the ring by means of the connecting strip 90. The ring 9 is driven or brakedin a slightly delayed manner with respect to the advancing of the strip which is caused by the driven guide rollers 12 so that a rigidly spaced roll 1b is created and the guide rollers 14 assure an automatic sheet metal strip guide. The spacer wires or

ropes

32,33 are secured with the free ends on the leading sheet metal strip edge 1 by means of the

hooks

34,35 and are interposed between the roll layers during the strip rotation in order to support the roll layers spaced from one another.

After the expanded strip roll 1b is finished in the preparation station 2, the reeling core 5 of the strip roll is lifted sufficiently high by means of the elevating mechanism 18 that also the ring 9 with the expanded strip roll 1b can be lifted off from the pivot bearing 2a over the rotating platform 6 by means of the elevating mechanism 16 of the rotating platform 7 and can through a rotary step motion of the rotating platform 7 in direction of the arrow 8 be brought into vertical overlapping relationship with the treatment station 3 by a relative sidewise displacement relative to the preparation station 2. In this position the ring 9 is placed onto the collecting basin by a lowering motion of the rotatin g platform 7 and is covered by the hood 3b. The pickling, rinsing and drying of the strip roll 1b which is expanded in'the ring 9 takes then place in the treatment station 3, whereby at the same time a second rigid strip roll 1a is introduced into the preparation station 2 and can be rewound into a second expanded roll 1b in a ring with a vertical roll shaft, which ring is provided in the preparation station 2.

After the expanded roll lb which is provided in the treatment station 3 is pickled, rinsed and dried it is moved after the removal of the hood 3b together with its ring to the strip rewind station 4 by a lifting and subsequent rotary motion of the rotating platform 7 andis there lowered onto the pivot bearing 4a. Simultaneous with the sidewise displacement of the ring with the expanded striproll 1b from the treatment station 3 to the rewind station 4, the second expanded strip roll lb which is provided in the preparation station 2 is moved to the treatment station 3 so that a third rigid strip roll 1a can be rewound in an associated ring to a third expanded strip roll 1b in the preparation station 2.

The expanded strip roll lb which is now in the station 4 is then, with the inner sheet metal strip and guided over the associated guide roller elements 15 between the guide rollers 12, wound from inside onto the reeling core 6 so that at an inner radial distance from the expanded strip roll 1b, a further fixed strip roll 1a is created. By swinging in the outside guide roller 12 in the arrow direction b, not only the strip tension is increased but a S-shaped strip guide is obtained through which tensions which could have accumulated in the sheet metal strip 1 are relieved. The reeling core 6 is driven during the winding-up process by associated driving means in direction of the arrow 37 with a constant or regulatable rotational speed. It is here possible, as has already been mentioned earlier, to drive in the strip rewind station 4 also the respective ring with regulatable or constant speed or to brake the ring. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment with respect to the apparatus. It would for example be possible to construct adjustably with respect to height, in place of the rotating platform 7, the pivot bearings 20,411 arranged in the

stations

2,4 and also the collecting basin 3a which is arranged in the station 3 by associated elevating mechanisms. It would also be conceivable to provide, in place of a rotating platform 7, some other step conveying mechanism by means of which the

rings

9,10,11 are movable from station to station. Finally it would also be possible to provide the apparatus, aside from the treatment station 3, with only one further station which is constructed both for unrolling and producing the expanded strip roll 1b and also for rewinding the latter in form of the rigid strip roll 1a. Such a station would then fulfill both the function of the pretreatment and also the function of the strip rewind station which would make the apparatus, although of less capacity,

still less expensive to buy and maintain and would require considerably less room to install.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for pickling a sheet metal strip having a preparation, a treatment and a rewinding station with driving and/or braking mechanisms for a sheet metal strip reeling means, which driving or braking mechanisms are associated with both the: rewinding station and also the preparation station, a guide roller system which automatically guides the sheet metal strip and a pickling vat for a strip roll which is expanded by means of the spacer elements, which pickling vat is arranged in the treatment station, and a roll conveyor which can be moved at least through the stations, the improvement comprising a support ring (9, or 10 or 11) associated with the expanded strip roll (1b), which support ring supports and limits said strip roll on vertical axes both circumferentially and also on the lower edge thereof, and is constructed with an inside diameter which permits the arranging of at least two elements (12,13) of the guide roller system (12, 13 14 or 15) between the rigid strip roll (1a) and the expanded strip roll which extends approximately coaxially around said rigid strip roll (la) and bearing means provided in the preparation station (2) and in the rewinding station which support the respective reeling core (5 or 6) and support ring relatively to one another vertically coaxially both rotatably and also axially displaceably at least for a distance of the sheet metal strip width, and the roll conveyor is constructed as a step conveying mechanism (7, 7a, 16) which supports on vertical axes the support ring with the expanded strip roll.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support ring (9 or 10 or 11) is supported on a rotating platform (7) of the step conveying mechanism, which platform can be vertically adjusted, and the stations (2, 3, 4) are arranged on a theoretical circle around the rotating platform shaft (7a) in the step movement path of the support ring.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, the improvement comprising the three support rings (9, 10, 11) are identical and are angularly spaced 120 apart on the vertically adjustable rotating platform (7) of the step conveying mechanism, and the stations (2, 3, 4) are also arranged at angular spacings of 120 around the rotating platform axis.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, the improvement comprising the support rings (9, 10, 11) are each supported rotatably in a recess of the rotating platform (7), which recess at least partially surrounds the outer ring jacket, and are supported liftably with an outer flange (9) against said rotating platform.

5. Apparatus at least according to claim 1, the improvement comprising the support rings (9, 10, 1 l) are introduced into both in the preparation station (2) and also in the rewinding station (4) by lowering the rotating platform (7) until said rings are lifted off from said platform and are supported on a pivot bearing (2a or 4a) of the bearing devices, which pivot bearing is coaxial with the respective reeling core (5 or 6).

6. Apparatus at least according to claim 1, the improvement comprising each reeling core (5 or 6) is supported in the associated station (2 or 4) on vertical axes by the upper side on one of the bearing supports (16 or 17) of the bearing devices, which bearing supports extend over the respective support ring (9 or 10 or 11), and each said core is supportable with its lower side on a rotating platform (212 or 4b) of the bearing devices, which rotating platform is coaxial to the pivot bearing (2a or 4a) of the support ring, and the bearing supports are arranged adjustable in height, and if necessary also horizontally swingably, and are equipped with the elements (l2, 13, 14 or of the guide roller system.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, the improvement comprising the support rings (9, l0, 11) are each constructed bowl-shaped with for example at least one opening in the bowl bottom, are equipped with support surfaces (9b or 10b or 11b) which form said bowl bottom and the support surfaces are arranged in the supporting position of the support ring against the associated pivot bearing (2a or 4a) substantially in the plane of the rotating platform (2b or 4b) and are guided close to said rotating platform.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, the improvement comprising the elements (12, 13, 14 or 15) of the guide roller system are arranged movably in the support direction in the preparation station (2) and the rewind station (4) on the associated bearing support (16 or 17) and are adjustable by means of moving mechanisms (22, 23).

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, the improvement comprising at least one of the elements (12 or 13) of the guide roller system is supported adjustably approximately parallel to the bearing support on a carriage (22a or 23a) of the moving mechanisms (22 or 23), which carriage is movable lengthwise of the bearing support (16 or 17) and can be urged against the outside of the sheet metal strip (1).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, the improvement comprising at least one (12) of the elements of the guide roller system can be driven and, if necessary, is provided with a friction-increasing jacket coating, for example of rubber.

11. Apparatus at least according to according to claim 1, the improvement comprising the pickling vat (3a) in the treatment station (3) is constructed substantially with the support ring diameter cylindrically as a collecting vat for pickling and rinsing fluids and the support rings (9, 10, 11) can each be placed sealingly on the upper facing surface of the collecting basin through the vertically adjustable rotating platform 7) and that a conventional hood (3b) is both equipped with individual elements (27, 28, 29, 30) of a pickling, rinsing and drying mechanism and also constructed with the support ring diameter and is supported in the treatment station coaxially to the respective support ring and is sealingly lowerable onto said support ring.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, the improvement comprising the spacer element consists of a conventional rope or wire element (32 or 33) which is enlarged at regular intervals, for example plastic or titanium rope or wire, and the enlargements are formed by wire pieces which are pressed screw-thread-shaped or ring-shaped around the rope or wire jacket.

Claims

1. Apparatus for pickling a sheet metal strip having a preparation, a treatment and a rewinding station with driving and/or braking mechanisms for a sheet metal strip reeling means, which driving or braking mechanisms are associated with both the rewinding station and also the preparation station, a guide roller system which automatically guides the sheet metal strip and a pickling vat for a strip roll which is expanded by means of the spacer elements, which pickling vat is arranged in the treatment station, and a roll conveyor which can be moved at least through the stations, the improvement comprising a support ring (9, or 10 or 11) associated with the expanded strip roll (1b), which support ring supports and limits said strip roll on vertical axes both circumferentially and also on the lower edge thereof, and is constructed with an inside diameter which permits the arranging of at least two elements (12,13) of the guide roller system (12, 13 14 or 15) between the rigid strip roll (1a) and the expanded strip roll which extends approximately coaxially around said rigid strip roll (1a) and bearing means provided in the preparation station (2) and in the rewinding station which support the respective reeling core (5 or 6) and support ring relatively to one another vertically coaxially both rotatably and also axially displaceably at least for a distance of the sheet metal strip width, and the roll conveyor is constructed as a step conveying mechanism (7, 7a, 16) which supports on vertical axes the support ring with the expanded strip roll.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, the improvement comprising the three support rings (9, 10, 11) are identical and are angularly spaced 120* apart on the vertically adjustable rotating platform (7) of the step conveying mechanism, and the stations (2, 3, 4) are also arranged at angular spacings of 120* around the rotating platform axis.

5. Apparatus at least according to claim 1, the improvement comprising the support rings (9, 10, 11) are introduced into both in the preparation station (2) and also in the rewinding station (4) by lowering the rotating platform (7) until said rings are lifted off from said platform and are supported on a pivot bearing (2a or 4a) of the bearing devices, which pivot bearing is coaxial with the respective reeling core (5 or 6).

6. Apparatus at least according to claim 1, the improvement comprising each reeling core (5 or 6) is supported in the associated station (2 or 4) on vertical axes by the upper side on one of the bearing supports (16 or 17) of the bearing devices, which bearing supports extend over the respective support ring (9 or 10 or 11), and each said core is supportable with its lower side on a rotating platform (2b or 4b) of the bearing devices, which rotating platform is coaxial to the pivot bearing (2a or 4a) of the support ring, and the bearing supports are arranged adjustable in height, and if necessary also horizontally swingably, and are equipped with the elements (12, 13, 14 or 15) of the guide roller system.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, the improvement comprising the support rings (9, 10, 11) are each constructed bowl-shaped with for example at least one opening in the bowl bottom, are equipped with support surfaces (9b or 10b or 11b) which form said bowl bottom and the support surfaces are arranged in the supporting position of the support ring against the associated pivot bearing (2a or 4a) substantially in the plane of the rotating platform (2b or 4b) and are guided close to said rotating platform.

11. Apparatus at least according to according to claim 1, the improvement comprising the pickling vat (3a) in the treatment station (3) is constructed substantially with the support ring diameter cylindrically as a collecting vat for pickling and rinsing fluids and the support rings (9, 10, 11) can each be placed sealingly on the upper facing surface of the collecting basin through the vertically adjustable rotating platform (7) and that a conventional hood (3b) is both equipped with individual elements (27, 28, 29, 30) of a pickling, rinsing and drying mechanism and also constructed with the support ring diameter and is supported in the treatment station coaxially to the respective support ring and is sealingly lowerable onto said support ring.